Griot & Grey Owl Presents: Carolina Gold Blk Southern Writers 2025
A three-day celebration of Black Southern storytelling, legacy, and creativity, where stories take root from Appalachia to the Gullah Coast.
Date and time
Location
American Underground
201 West Main Street Durham, NC 27701Agenda
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday, Nov 7th -Early Registration
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Opening Ceremony- Music, Keynote, Q&A
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reception
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th - Registration
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Book Fair w/ Signings
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Saturday, Nov 8th Workshop Block #1
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th Workshops Block #2
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th- Publishing/Editors/Agents Roundtable
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th Hallmark Nikki Giovanni Reading
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th- Panels & Book Talks
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Saturday, Nov 8th- Career Sessions & Publishing Labs
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
VIP/All Access - Evening + Dinner with the Griots
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Griot Poetry Slam
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 days, 3 hours
- In person
Refund Policy
About this event
Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference 2025: Carolina Gold📍 Durham, NC | 🗓️ November 7–9, 2025✨ Featured venue: American Underground
Three days. Countless stories. One unforgettable experience.
This November, Durham becomes the heart of Black Southern storytelling. Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference gathers writers, poets, scholars, musicians, and culture keepers from the Carolinas and beyond — rooted in traditions that stretch from the mountains of Appalachia to the shores of the Gullah Coast.
This year’s theme, Carolina Gold, honors the legacy, labor, and brilliance sown deep in Southern soil. Together, we’ll craft new futures while celebrating the roots that ground us — through keynotes, panels, workshops, music, storytelling, and more.
Our 2025 griots include a constellation of literary and cultural stars — Crystal Wilkinson, Jaki Shelton Green, Nnenna Freelon, Pierce Freelon, Glenis Redmond, Vanessa Miller, Kamal Bell, Kianna Alexander, Halle Hill, Donovan Livingston, Fred Joiner, James Stewart, Jordan Bailey — and many more voices you’ll want to say you heard here first.
What’s waiting for you:
Your weekend includes:
- Transformative writing workshops, seminars & feedback labs
- Keynotes & panels with award-winning authors & cultural leaders
- Saturday night Poetry Slam
- “Evening with the Griots” (VIP + All-Access only)
- Marketplace of Black-owned books, art & goods
- Live music, storytelling circles & cultural exchanges
- Community, connection & creative fire you’ll carry home with you
Whether you’re a seasoned author, an emerging voice, or a devoted lover of Black stories, this is where you find your people.
Come home to your story. Plant your roots. Grow your gold.
🎟 Ticket Options
General Admission – Access to all keynotes, workshops, panels, and the vendor marketplace. Perfect for readers, community members, and creatives seeking inspiration.
VIP Experience – Everything in General Admission plus priority seating, entry to all workshops, panels, book fair, and critique sessions, and exclusive networking events with featured guests.
All-Access Pass – The ultimate Carolina Gold weekend: All VIP benefits plus All-Access lounge access, reserved front-row seating, and entry to special events such as the Publishing Roundtable and Evening with the Griots — an intimate night of food, readings, and conversation with Hallmark speakers.
Educators/Students – Reduced pricing for high school, college, and graduate students, as well as educators (valid ID required; code available upon request).
Sliding Fee & Needs-Based – Limited tickets available by application on website- griotandgreyowl.org. (email griotandgreyowl@gmail.com).
Accessibility Statement: Griot & Grey Owl is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming space for all. All main venues are wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms, elevators, and priority seating available. ASL interpretation, live captioning, and large-print/digital programs can be requested in advance. Service animals are welcome. For additional accommodations, email griotandgreyowl@gmail.com at least 2 weeks before the event.
Frequently asked questions
Not at all! Whether you choose General Admission, VIP, or All-Access, your ticket covers the entire three-day experience. Our grandma raised us better than to charge you three times for one good thing.
Griot & Grey Owl is a three-day celebration of Black Southern storytelling, featuring writers, poets, scholars, musicians, and culture keepers from across the Carolinas and beyond. Expect keynotes, workshops, panels, music, storytelling, and a vibrant marketplace.
We are planning to record select sessions for later viewing, but most programming is in-person to preserve the community experience.
Vendor applications open now. Follow us on social media, email us, or join our mailing list to be notified.
While we will have several events that include food, only the ALL ACCESS ticket includes the dinner and the brunch. We will share recommendations for nearby Black-owned restaurants and hotels with your ticket confirmations.
Main programming will be at American Underground, with select events at nearby venues. We have purposely selected venues that are walkable and accessible.
Anyone who loves Black stories — writers, scholars, artists, readers, educators, students, community members, and cultural enthusiasts. Whether you’re just starting your creative journey or already established, you’ll find your people here.
Yes! Many of our presenters will participate in signings, Q&A sessions, and networking events.
A special, intimate night of readings, food, and conversation with select featured guests — available to VIP and All-Access ticket holders only, where participants get to eat and pick the brains of their favorite authors.
Griot & Grey Owl is committed to making our conference welcoming and accessible to all. We believe that Black Southern storytelling belongs to everyone, and we strive to remove barriers to participation. All primary venues, including American Underground, are wheelchair accessible.
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