The Indianapolis Public Library African-American History Committee in Support of the Center for Black Literature & Culture presented Fall Fest and Slammin' Rhymes Challenge XIX on Saturday, November 15 at Central Library.
Special Guests
The success of Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins began with a childhood promise to become doctors. As youngsters growing up in Newark, New Jersey they used positive peer pressure to realize their dream, and now through their Foundation provide opportunities for young people to participate in impactful activities.
Slammin' Rhymes Challenge
In addition to the Doctors, local youth performed their winning entries from this year’s Slammin' Rhymes Challenge, a contest for poets, rappers, and spoken word artists in grades 6-12.
This event is free and open to the public and made possible by The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund and J. Steve & Donna D. Talley Fund through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
2025 Fall Fest Highlights
Kwame Alexander
Maya Angelou
Robb Armstrong
Lerone Bennett
Gwendolyn Brooks
Tony Brown
A’leila Bundles
Tamika Catchings
Shirley Chisholm
Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis
Eric Jerome Dickey
Mari Evans
Kim Fields
Step Stool Chef-Julian Frederick
Sybrina Fulton
Ernest Gaines
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Nikki Giovanni*
Virginia Hamilton
E. Lynn Harris
James Haskins
Judge Glenda Hatchett
Jeff Henderson
Dr. Lonnie G. Johnson
Yolanda Renee King
Etheridge Knight
MC Lyte
Judge Greg Mathis
Nathan McCall
Terry McMillan
Walter Mosley
Kevin Powell
Kevin Richardson
Rose Rock
Sapphire
Vickie Stringer
Velma Maia Thomas
Omar Tyree
*Two-time Lecturer