Keynote speakers & Icons 2008 TO 2019

MARY MONROE ~ The first keynote speaker in 2008 and the BARR Literary Icon in 2019. From "Mama Ruby" to "Mrs. Wiggins".

VIRGINIA DEBERRY AND DONNA GRANT ~ who co-wrote several literary works between 1990 and 2010.

DR. DANIEL BLACK ~ in 2010 his first novel "Perfect Peace" swept book readers away.

BERNICE MCFADDEN ~ winner of the 2017 American Book Award and the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.

PAMELA SAMUELS YOUNG ~Award-winning author and attorney writes mysteries that matter.

RESHONDA TATE BILLINGLEY AND VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY ~ National Bestselling authors have more than two million books in print.

KIMBERLA LAWSON ROBY ~New York Times Bestselling Author, Podcast Host, and Speaker, Kimberla Lawson Roby, has published 28 books.

LISA RENEE JOHNSON ~ entrepreneur, certified professional life coach, author, speaker, publisher and book club president.

DWAYNE ALEXANDER SMITH ~ the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author.

KWAME ALEXANDER ~ Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, publisher, and New York Times Bestselling author of 35 books and the recipient of numerous awards.

DONNA HILL, The first BARR "Literary Icon" award - has more than 70 published titles to her credit and is considered one of the early pioneers of the African American romance genre.

TINA MCELROY ANSA - The 2018 BARR Literary Icon ~ An American novelist, filmmaker, and journalist. Her fiction focuses on black women living in the American South.

BARR ~ The Black Authors & Readers Rock Conference ~ is all about:

Meeting & Mingling
Promoting Authors
Sharing & Caring
Book Club Members
Avid Readers
And Excellence

Over the years we have brought our attendees the best of the best ... and we will continue that tradition in 2022.