Thread by @reasons2write

Hi, I'll be live-tweeting today's 9th Annual Juneteenth Book Fest and Celebration Keynote #indydocumenters @indydocumenters @mirrorindy

Gregory Hill, the CEO of the Indianapolis Public Library was welcomed by library staff Hailey.

"Thank you for taking time to celebrate this powerful day with us and the window of how black storytelling shapes the world." - Gregory Hill

Mariah Ivey, Indianapolis Poet was welcomed by Hailey to perform her poem for the 9th Annual Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration.

Brianna, staff member of The Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library took the stage after Mariah Ivey performed her poem to speak about Tomi Adeyemi accolades as an Author and her upcoming movie "Children of Blood and Bone", set to release in July 2027.

Tomi Adeyemi stated that in 2011 is when she had the dream to do her book. Everything that she has achieved in her life was a result of her searching from herself.

Tomi Adeyemi read an excerpt from her book, "Children of Blood and Bone" that was inspired by the rise of police brutality, specifically the shooting of Fidel Castro.

Open Q&A started shortly after Tomi Adeyemi's speech.

Tomi Adeyemi has a new book coming out called "The Siren". Link can be found in her Instagram bio.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy "We are warriors, we are witches, and we are queens. This truth took a lifetime to find." Adeyemi ended her speech at 2:33 p.m.

An audience member asked Adeyemi what is something we should know about her new book "The Siren". Tomi Adeyemi responded saying, "With Children of Blood and Bone you knew me as girl, but with The Siren, you know me as a woman."

Tomi Adeyemi does not have anxiety about her film being white-washed but knows the reality of it.

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy "In 2011, I was writing with a dream so big that it felt like a hole burning in my heart. I wanted a New York Times best seller and a movie adaptation. But I was still a girl with anxiety attacks and becoming an overnight success did not stop the horrors." - Tomi Adeyemi

@indydocumenters @mirrorindy Tomi Adeyemi was inspired by ceramic tiles of the Orisha in a Brazil gift shop where she went to hide from the pouring rain. She saw how it showed her that she didn't just belong in her imagination, but to the sacred powers.

Q&A ended around 3:10 p.m. followed by a book signing shortly after.

Tomi Adeyemi, New York Times Best Selling Author.

Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or these tweets @indydocumenters or email us at [e-mail].