✨ Conference Schedule
The Griot & Grey Owl schedule celebrates the voices, stories, and brilliance shaping our Carolina Gold experience. Explore the panels, workshops, and performances that make this weekend unforgettable.
Please note: All times, locations, and sessions are subject to change. We’ll continue updating this page as new details are confirmed, so check back often for the latest schedule.
Friday Nov 7th
FREE FOR EVERYONE!
* Yes, that means you!*
🌟 Friday: Opening Day (Free & Open to the Public)
We begin the Carolina Gold weekend with a day of community, creativity, and connection. Friday’s events are free and open to all, inviting everyone to experience the spirit of Griot & Grey Owl through powerful conversations, performances, and local talent. Come be part of the story as we open the doors to a weekend of Southern brilliance.
Event
Location
3:00pm-4:00pm
Saltwater Memory: Gullah Geechee Culture, Language & Lineage
de'Angelo Dia, Marlanda Dekine, Kita Bryant and Amethyst Ganaway.
Presented by Ebony Toussaint.
Discover Durham Visitor info Center
212 W. Main St. #101, Durham, NC 27701
4:00pm - 6:30pm
Early Registration & Vendor Setup
Durham County Main Public Library
300 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27701
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Opening Ceremony
Featuring
Black Banjo & Beyond: The Soundtrack of Black Southern Life w/ Nnenna Freelon & Pierce Freelon
& Keynote By Crystal Wilkinson
Featuring Black Banjo & Beyond: The Soundtrack of Black Southern Life w/ Nnenna Freelon & Pierce Freelon & Keynote By Crystal Wilkinson
Durham County Main Public Library
300 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27701
8:00pm - 11:00pm
After reception
Cocktails and conversations
The Roof at The Durham
315 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
Saturday Nov 8th
Only with conference passes
* Yes, that STILL means you!*
All of theses events will happen in the American Underground 201 W Main St unless otherwise stated
9:00am - 10:15am
Writing Romance w/ Southern Grit & Black Love
with Kianna Alexander
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Training Room 1
Poetry Masterclass
What We Carry: Writing in Contrapuntal Form with Talicha J.
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: The Classroom
9:30am - 10:45am
Freelance While Black: Rates & Pitching 101
Journalism/Media Industry —Cynthia Greenlee
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Vault Room
11:00am - 12:15pm
Crafting Black Fantasy Futures
With C. M. Lockhart , Eddie Dee Williams, and Nicole Glover
Moderated by Dr. Zelda Lockhart
American Underground 201 W Main St
UPDATE!!!! Room: The Classroom
All Access Publishing Roundtable
All Access Publishing Roundtable: “Speed Dating” with Industry Insiders
Featuring Cortland Gilliam, Cedric Tillman, Victoria Scott-Miller, Ashley Lumpkin, Halle Hill, Rian N. Jenkins, and Kate McClean Landon
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Bull Pen
Root Work & Rituals Panel
Speed Dating
James E. Stewart, Fola Afolayan, Shanita Dee; Moderator J. Rycheal
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Training Room 2
11:00am - 12:15pm
Lunch Break & Vendor Time
12:15pm - 1:30pm
Multiplicity as a Method: On Navigating Being a Multipassionate Creative
w/ Alyssa Cuffie from Durham Archives Podcast & special guests in the Google Lounge sponsored by Ebony Tomatoes
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Rooftop
1:30pm - 2:00pm
Book Signings
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Main Hall
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Hallmark Poet Laureate Reading: A Tribute to Nikki Giovanni
Featuring Jaki Shelton Green, Glenis Redmond, Donovan Livingston, A$iahMae, and Jay Ward
Moderated by Crystal Simone Smith
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Bull Pen
3:15pm - 4:15pm
Main Character Energy: Writing Strong Women Characters
Halle Hill “Good Women” Book talk w/ Vanessa Miller Q&A w/ moderator - Ariel Seay-Howard
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Training Room 1
Eden Royce: Journey in Publishing- Publishing
will give information to help you choose between the self-publishing versus traditional routes, including pros and cons for each, and some insider knowledge about agenting and marketing
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: The Vault Room
So You Want to Own a Blk Literary Org/Biz
With C. M. Lockhart, Ty McDuffie, Victoria Scott-Miller, and Dr. Zelda Lockhart
Moderated by Courtney Napier
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: The Class Room
4:00pm - 5:00pm
KidLit Panel: From Seedlings to Oak Trees
Pierce Freelon, Kelly Starling Lyons, Kamal E. Bell, special guest: Rian Jenkins, Mike Sales w/ Gale Greenlee as moderator
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Bull Pen
Writing Critique Session
w/ Special Guest
American Underground 201 W Main St
Training Room 1
4:30pm - 5:45pm
Break + Book Signing & Vendor Browsing
American Underground 201 W Main St
Room: Lobby & Vendor Hall
5:30pm - 7:00pm
All Access Evening with the Griots
Kianna, Nnenna, Pierce, Halle, Crystal W, J. Rycheal, Donovan, Ty McDuffie. Also
Attending Glenis, Rian, Chelsea, Asiah, Cortland, James Stewart.
Only For All Access attendees
American Underground Roof top Café w/ Taste of Black & People Tourism partnership
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Carolina Gold Slam: The Last Word
Poetry slam
All Access attendees and VIP Free entry all others require
American Underground Bull Pen
7:30pm - 9:30pm
After Party
Hosted by Ebony Tomatoes
Primrose Durham
111 West Main Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701
Sunday Nov 7th
Only with conference passes
* Yes, that STILL means you!*
🌾 Sunday: Closing Day
As the Carolina Gold weekend comes to a close, we gather in gratitude — for the stories shared, the lessons learned, and the community we’ve built together. Sunday is a time to reflect, reconnect, and carry the spirit of Griot & Grey Owl forward. The words don’t end here — they live on in every voice that dared to be heard.
