Memories of the St. Dominic Boutique

On December 9, the School of St. Dominic in Northfield, Minnesota, hosted a fair titled St. Dominique Boutique, which I had mentioned on this blog. Sixty vendors displayed a great variety of products, such as jewelry, clothing, artifacts, and cards. I was there, with my books and other publications.








When I arrived, I was directed to my spot, and a man I didn't know came to help me set up my table. He told me that he had heard me speak at a church in Faribault. I recalled two talks I had given on a weekend at First English Lutheran Church based on my book, Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences.

This man told me he was a retired pastor and since his table was adjacent to mine, we had time to talk durin the expo. His display consisted of Christian themed items such as icons, and cards.







From 9:00am to 2:00pm, people kept coming to the expo.













































The woman seen in the picture here came to my table with her older sister. We talked at length about my work and about my books. She bought the two she is holding.
















As always happens in these events, I met and talked with various kinds of people, who had interesting things to share with me. The gentleman seen in the picture on  the left told me about Andrew Jackson Foster, an African American missionary who started schools for the blind in Ghana and other African countries. I did not know about this person, but after hearing about him, I have read about him and been very impressed by his life and work.














As I mentioned on this blog, on November 23, my book, Matengo Folktales, was featured on "Jeopardy," the popular television program. Naturally, I reproduced the "Jeopardy" clue and brought it to the Expo.











I commend the School of St. Dominic for organizing this event. Although this was their first experience of holding such an event, it was very successful. Also, I was delighted that even though the Expo host was a Catholic school, it attracted people of different belief systems. I saw this as I talked with people at my table.

I felt, as other people did, that the Expo should be held again, perhaps annually.

St. Dominique Boutique, Northfield, Minnesota

St. Dominic School in Northfield, Minnesota, is working on a brand new initiative called St. Dominique Boutique, a community event filled with displayed and activities. There will be door prizes and crafting demos and mini massages, as well as vendors of different products including crafts, greeting cards, candles, silverware, jewelry, and books.

The school belongs to the Church of St. Dominic. As a member of this church, I am very pleased that my three daughters went to St. Dominic School, and that the school is hosting the fair. I will be there with my books, including Matengo Folktales, which hit the spotlight on Thanksgiving Day when it was mentioned on "Jeopardy," the American television show.

I have participated in many such events and appreciate them very much as opportunities to meet people and share ideas. I look forward to the St. Dominique Boutique and hope to write about it afterwards.

Matengo Folktales Featured on "Jeopardy"

 I will always remember 23 November, 2017. First it was Thanksgiving Day, a major American holiday. That is not a unique event, since it occurs every year. What was special, about that particular Thanksgiving Day, however, was that my book, Matengo Folktales, was mentioned on the "Jeopardy" television show which many Americans watch. I don't know how I ended up on this show.

I didn't know much about "Jeopardy," but the appearance of my book on the show has opened my eyes as I witness the reactions of people around the country. The chairman of my Department at St. Olaf College wrote to faculty and majors: Congratulations to Joseph Mbele for an honor that few of us will ever achieve--being mentioned in a clue on Jeopardy! See the image below, referencing Joseph's "Matengo Folktales" book....


In the YouTube recording below, my book is mentioned starting at the 15:29 minute point.

My Culture is Weird And So is Yours

Photos from the Minnesota Black Authors Expo

Minnesota Black Authors Expo

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On November 18, many roads led to North Minneapolis, where the Minnesota Black Authors Expo was taking place. I was there, as one of 40 authors presenting their works. It was the dream of De'Vonna Pittman and Jasmine Boulah to organize and host such an event to showcase Black writing. Working hard for four months, these dynamic ladies  pulled off a feat that impressed the many people who attended the Expo.

This event was well planned and seamlessly carried out. The picture on the left is the cover of the Expo brochure, which contained information about authors and their books.







Here De'Vonna is seen speaking, with Jasmine at her side.














Then it was Jasmine's turn to speak. These two hostesses warmly welcomed the guests and kept us engaged the whole time. There was music most of the time, performed by saxophonist Antonio Jackson.














People started coming to the Expo as soon as it was opened. if not earlier. I saw them when I arrived. I have participated in many books fairs, but the Minnesota Black Authors Expo was the one I liked the most.










What appeared to be space limitation actually fostered lively interaction among all of us. The sheer numbers of people talking simultaneously at the various tables, in seeming competition with the background music, produced an animated, delightful babel of voices which reminded me of  the typical African market as I describe it in my book, Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences:

Crowded and noisy, the African market displays the vitality and exuberance of African life. The language of the market place is vibrant and full of humour....Like many other contexts and situations in Africa, the market is a place for building relationships (p. 95).

That African spirit of the Expo really warmed my heart.

The conversations I had with people touched me very much. These people genuinely wanted to know about the work I do relating to Africa and the African Diaspora. Several of them, upon seeing my Notes on Achebe's Things Fall Apart, told me they had read Achebe's novel.

One lady told me that she wanted to go and live in Africa. At first I thought she was just talking, but I quickly realized that she meant what she said. She wanted to move to Africa next year, and wanted me to tell her what she should do to realize her dream. I gave her some advice, including information about African Americans who have settled in countries like Ghana, Senegal and Tanzania. I promised to connect her with people who can help her further.









Here I am, at my table, with several of my books.
















Here I am with De'Vonna, who had come to my table and told me she wanted my "Africans and Americans" book.















This lady exemplified very well the spirit I witnessed during the Expo. She was eager to know about all the books I displayed and was genuinely interested in what I was saying. She bought a copy of Matengo Folktales which she is proudly displaying here.














Though I spent most the time at my table, of course, I did get to meet and talk with other writers. Here on the left, I am with Cavis Adams, author of Granddaddy, his first novel. We had an interesting conversation about our common desire for an Afrocentric focus in our works.

 Here is Penny Jones-Richardson, whose table was next to mine. We talked a great deal, having discovered that we had common interests, she being a life coach and I an educator and cultural consultant. She is the author of Thirty Days of Motivation: A Guide to Reaching Your Goals and Staying Focused.

Here I am with Rita Apaloo, author of African Women Connect, which describes how she formed and ran a networking group of African immigrant women.

My daughter Zawadi joined me at the Expo. She started accompanying me in these events from an early age. She knows what I do and is able to represent me when I am not around.

























At one point, Zawadi spotted in the crowd a lady she recognized as her older sister Assumpta's friend. She approached her and brought her to our table where she introduced us. Her name is Cali Bianca. We enjoyed our meeting.

The Minnesota Black Authors Expo was a great experience for me as an African who eagerly seeks to learn about African Americans. Teaching at St. Olaf College, a predominantly white institution, I decided, long ago, to broaden my American experience by reaching out to the African American community. I thank De'Vonna and Jasmine for helping me on that quest.