An Eventful Weekend

This September has been nothing short of extraordinary for Iskanchi Press. In one weekend, we moved from New York to Utah, to an inspiring Book Tour that brought us closer than ever to readers and writers. It has been a season of fun, connection, and progress on the African literature front.

We began the month at the New York Black and African Literature Festival, where our Editor-in-Chief, Kenechi Ozor, represented Iskanchi with vision and purpose.

From the very first day, the festival was alive with intentional, defining conversations. Kenechi connected with some of the most influential voices in African literature, including the distinguished Kwame Dawes, engaging in dialogues that reminded us why storytelling remains such a powerful force for cultural preservation and progress.

The New York festival set the tone: African literature is not just being read. It is shaping global conversations.

While New York was in full swing, our team was also present at the Utah Afro Festival held at the Glendale Library in Salt Lake City.

It was a celebration of community, an intimate yet impactful gathering where readers, writers, and culture-shapers engaged with stories that affirm African identity and resilience. Every shared story, every reading, every discussion was a reminder that African literature thrives across geographies.

On the very same day, we carried the momentum into our Book Tour.

The turnout was inspiring — readers didn’t just come for books; they came for conversations, for the chance to meet authors face-to-face, and to be part of a living literary moment. There were signed books, new friendships, and dialogues that linger long after the pages are closed.

We are especially grateful to the Dutch Foundation for Literature and our celebrated author Vamba Sherif, whose support and vision made this tour such a resounding success.

From the international scope of New York,to the  community warmth in Utah, to the intimate connections on our tour, this has been a week where African literature proved once again that it is global, relevant, and unstoppable.

At Iskanchi Press, we don’t just publish books. We create spaces where African voices are amplified, heard, and celebrated. And this September reminded us that the movement is only just beginning.

Here’s to more festivals, more conversations, and more unforgettable connections in the journey of African storytelling.

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