Chocolate City Literature Festival
Full Event Schedule
April 24–25, 2026 • Washington, D.C.
Registration & Check-In (Main Day Festival)
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard — 2nd Floor
Friday Pre-Check-In for:
- Full Weekend All Access
- Saturday All Access
Check in early to receive your credentials and skip Saturday morning lines.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Booked in Melanin Rooftop Meet & Greet
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Smoke & Mirrors Rooftop Restaurant
11th Floor, AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard
867 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Host: Shay Garvin
Event Overview
A curated rooftop experience designed for connection, conversation, and a stylish start to the weekend.
Event Details
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Enjoy a chef-curated menu featuring assorted mini dessert bites, vegetable potstickers, mini chicken empanadas, mini crab cakes, bacon deviled eggs, a charcuterie display, and bar service throughout the evening.
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Desserts and beverages
Attending Authors
- A. Blossom
- A.A. Lewis
- Antoinette Sherell
- Arriel Vinson
- Bella Jay
- Danielle Brooks
- Jsin Graham
- Kiriah Kache
- KuTura B.
- K’wan
- L.C. Son
- Lakita Wilson
- Lamartz Brown
- Natavia Stewart
- Nate McGuire
- Natisha Raynor
- Octavia Grant
- Olivia Linden
- Robbi Renee
- Shanora Williams
- Tia Love
- T’Lyn
- Zee Renée
Important Information
- 21+ only
- No children permitted
- Included with Full Weekend All Access only
- All other tickets do not include access. Meet & Greet requires a separate add-on purchase
Dress Code
Booked in Melanin: Shades of Brown
Browns and tans. Dress to impress
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Festival Day
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sycamore & Oak | Washington, D.C.
Host: Kayla Roberts
Entry & Registrations
9:30 AM
Full Weekend & Saturday All Access Entry
10:00 AM
General Admission, Kids & Teens Entry
Festival Highlights & All-Day Experiences
DC Library Registration
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Register for a library card onsite
Pack N Business Shipping Station
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ship your books home before leaving
Bookish Marketplace (Market Street)
All Day
Shop curated vendors and bookish goods
Pages & Volumes Bookstore
All Day
Official on-site bookseller
Broken Hearts Restorative
All Day
Coloring activity focused on creativity
Interactive Activities
Airbrush Bar
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Create custom airbrushed items
DIY Beaded Bookmark Station
All Day
Make your own beaded bookmark to take home
Tarot Card Readings
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Line Dancing with DMV City Slickerz
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Book Swap with Prettylittlebookshelf
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Kids Activities
All Day
Jump rope, bubbles, moon bounce
Community Games
All Day
Card games and jump rope
Live Readings
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Dr. Taylor Darks
Reading + all-day signing
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Arriel Vinson
YA reading + signing (2:30–5:30)
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Nadia Fisher
Reading + signing (2:30–5:30)
Panel Conversations
11:15 AM – 11:50 AM
Between the Lines
Romance and storytelling conversation
Moderator: Princess Riddick
Panelists: Nikki Payne, Ayoka B., Monique Goode
12:05 PM – 12:40 PM
Men Behind the Pen
Male voices in Black literature
Moderator: Jsin Graham
Panelists: K’wan, Nathaniel McGuire, Lamartz Brown, Omari Richards
12:55 PM – 1:30 PM
Queens of the Streets
Women shaping street lit
Moderator: Talia Cadet
Panelists: Zee Renée, T’Lyn, Erica Denise, KuTura B.
2:00 PM – 2:35 PM
The Many Shades of Black Love
Exploring Black love across genres
Moderator: Torri
Panelists: Olivia Linden, Lakita Wilson, Danielle Brooks, Bella Jay, Kay Shanee, Kiriah Kache
2:50 PM – 3:25 PM
Kill, Kiss, or Keep?
Thriller and suspense discussion
Moderator: Aysha
Panelists: Anna J., Octavia Grant, Tanisha Stewart
3:25 PM – 3:40 PM
More Than Books
Community and book culture conversation
Moderator: Morgan
Panelists: Aniya Mercadel, Bri Coleman, Leayzia Shiver
Awards
11:50 AM – 12:05 PM
Black Literary Impact Award
Honoree: A.A. Lewis
12:40 PM – 12:55 PM
Cultural Legacy Award
Honoree: K’wan
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Emerging Black Author Award
Honoree: KuTura B.
2:35 PM – 2:50 PM
Indie-to-Industry Impact Award
Honoree: Danielle Allen
3:40 PM – 3:55 PM
Media & Literary Influence Award
Honoree: Talia Cadet
Raffles
Every hour from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Author Signings
Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Romance Blvd.
- A. Blossom
- A.A. Lewis
- A.H. Cunningham
- Bella Jay
- Britt W.
- Briyanna Michelle
- Charleigh Harper
- Danielle Allen
- Danielle Brooks
- Darby Baham
- Erica Denise
- Kay Shanee
- Lady Marie
- Nikki Payne
- Olivia Linden
- Robbi Renne
- Zee Renée
Urban / Street Lit Lane
- Antoinette Sherell
- J.E. Tyler
- Jahquel J.
- Jas B.
- K’wan (10:00-11:30)
- KuTura B.
Fantasy / Paranormal Way
- E. Bowser
- Elle Kayson
- L.C. Son
Thriller / Suspense Way
- Anna J.
- K. Powell
- Octavia Grant (10:00-12:00)
- Olivia Renee Wallace
- Tanisha Stewart
YA Lane
- Lakita Wilson
Kids Corner
- Dr. Taylor Darks
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
Romance Blvd.
- A.A. Lewis
- Ayoka B.
- Charleigh Harper
- D.S. Walls
- Erica Denise
- Jsin Graham
- Karmen Scott
- Kimmie Ferrel
- Kiriah Kache
- Lady Marie
- Lamartz Brown
- Monique Goode
- N.E. Davenport
- Nikki Davenport
- Rona D.
- Shameka S. Erby
- Shay Davis
- Tanvier Peart
- Tia Love
Urban / Street Lit Lane
- K’wan (3:00-4:30)
- Kendra Necole
- KuTura B.
- Nate McGuire
- Natisha Raynor
- S. Yvonne
- T’Lyn
Fantasy / Paranormal Way
- Natavia Stewart
Thriller / Suspense Way
- K. Powell
- Octavia Grant (3:40-4:40)
- Olivia Renee Wallace
- Tanisha Stewart
YA Lane
- Arriel Vinson
Kids Corner
- Dr. Taylor Darks
- Nadia Fisher
Limited Appearance
Zee Renée
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Romance Blvd
Author Signing in Both Sessions
- A.A. Lewis
- Anna J.
- Charleigh Harper
- Dr. Taylor Darks
- Erica Denise
- K. Powell
- K’wan
- KuTura B.
- Lady Marie
- Octavia Grant
- Olivia Renee Wallace
- Rona D.
- Tanisha Stewart
- Zee Renée
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Soft Lit Nights — PJs & Book Baes
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard
2nd Floor
867 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Host: Bri Coleman
Event Overview
Indoor curated picnic experience to unwind and connect after the festival.
Schedule
7:30 PM
Doors open + mingling
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Shea butter activation
8:20 PM
Welcome
8:30 PM
Fireside discussion
Featured Authors
- Zee Renée
- Britt W.
- Antoinette Sherell
Food & Beverages
- Desserts
- Champagne upon arrival
- Fountain beverages
Dress Code
Silk or satin pajamas in pink, tan, brown, soft blue, and neutrals
Important Information
- No children permitted
- Ticketed add-on
- Limited seating
