Events

2019

March 2

The following are photos from my book launch of my Christopher Family Novel series at St. Peter’s AME Church in Minneapolis. As part of the launch, the program included readings by my poet extraordinaire cuz, DMchelle. I am so grateful for my readers and supporters for the positive energy and good success.

April 26

At my book signing on April 26, one of the featured events for our Black Student Union’s 50th Anniversary and Black Alumni Reunion weekend at my alma mater, Luther College.

At Saturday night’s BSU gala, with my fellow alums.

Here are the founders of our BSU (left to right): Will and Arlivia Williamson, Barbara Fuller, Holley Drakeford, Jan Vanderpool, Byron Dean

2020

April 7

I was a guest, along with Minnesota Atty. General Keith Ellison, on the program Conversations With Al McFarlane on KFAI (90.3 FM) here in the Twin Cities. Below is the link to the broadcast (my interview is in the second portion of the program). Thank you, Al, for having me on your program.

Conversations With Al McFarlane

April 

Thank you, Hennepin County Library, for being the first library system to include my Christopher Family Novel series as part of your collection!

 

July 30

I had the pleasure of being the spotlighted author for Queer In Color, where I discussed my novel, You Never Know: A Christopher Family Novel. Thank you having me on the roster, Sharita!

Queer in Color

October 17

My deepest thanks and appreciation to Tiffany Johnson and the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder for the following article on increasing the representation of books by Black authors in Minnesota’s public library systems. Representation is everything.

Demanding representation for books and beyond (spokesman-recorder.com)

December 17

I am excited to be the special guest on the December 18 podcast of the amazing, incomparable Wyatt O’Brian Evans on WYATT!

2021

January 19

I am excited and honored to become the newly appointed book review editor for Insight News, one of the Black community newspapers here in Minnesota. Our managing editor is Al McFarlane, who is also a wordsmith and the host of Conversations With Al McFarlane.

When destiny calls | Aesthetics | insightnews.com

February 8

Many thanks and appreciation to the Anoka County Library for featuring me as their Author of the Week during Black History Month.

W.D. Foster-Graham | Anoka County, MN – Official Website

March 25

Yaaassss! My Christopher Family Novel series is now part of the Duluth Public Library collection. Since my maternal roots are in Duluth, Minnesota, the Johnson family will be remembered. I am standing in front of the iconic entrance to the main library.

October 2021

I am honored to be a featured author at the Minnesota Black Authors Expo, which showcases and increases the visibility of Black authors and poets (especially local authors and poets). It will be televised on October 23 from 1:00-2:00 CDT via Facebook Live and Nine North Channel 15.

October 22

Sharing an excerpt from my current Christopher Family Novel, The Right to Be, at the Author’s Reception of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo.

My husband Edward and I at the Authors Reception of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo, October 22.

Minnesota Black Authors Expo artwork at the Authors Reception.

2022

Heartiest thanks to Brenda Lyle-Gray for your kind words in Insight News (Page 3). Your spirit is deeply appreciated. Representation matters!

Out Brilliant Gentle Quiet and Proud Insight News

2023

March 2

As book review editor for Insight News, my role has expanded to include an Author’s Segment of Conversations With Al McFarlane, which can be viewed live stream and on YouTube. Today was my first appearance on the Author’s Segment with guest author Frederick Smith (we’re 48 minutes into the show).

2024

March

It is such a great honor to have my Christopher Family Novel series become part of the Archie Givens Sr. Collection of African American Literature. It is one of the largest collections of its kind in the country.

Deep appreciation for the inclusion of my Christopher Family Novel series in the Quatrefoil Library. The Minneapolis branch has the 2nd largest collection of LGBT literature in the country. My latest release, To Thine Own Self, was displayed in the New Releases section.