UpSouth International Book Festival

Up South Incorporated celebrates literary and artistic work by established and emerging international artists of color particularly those underrepresented in mainstream media. Its annual Up South Festival held in Harlem, New York presents the best in contemporary literature, film, dance, musicand performance art, to stimulate dialogue about art and culture, to provide exposure and attention to artists of color internationally, and to expand the audiences for their work.
Up South a.k.a., The North is an affectionate term for the regions of the United States that became the desired destinations for masses of African Americans who were determined to escape from racial apartheid and oppression that characterized, but was not exclusive to the South.
Our Board of Directors
Malaika Adero, Atria Books/Simon and Schuster
Tracy Austin, Attorney and Philanthropist
Patrik Henry Bass, Book Review Editor, Essence Magazine
Marie Brown, Founder, Marie Brown Literary Agency
Colin Channer, Co-founder, Calabash Literary Festival
Linda Duggins, Hachette Book Group
Faith Childs, Faith Childs Literary Agency
Irving S. Hammer, Ph. D., Scholar/Educator and Publishing Professional
Our Core Staff
Johanna Castillo, Senior Editor, Atria Books/Simon and Schuster
Renee Brown-Walters, President and Co-Founder, A to Z Concierge Service, Inc
Alyce Emory, Producer, Cultural Events and Programming Consultant
Krishan Trotman, Editorial Associate, Atria Books/Simon and Schuster