396: Blasian Book fair Orlando

The Sifu Mimi Chan Show

Celebrating Cultural Unity and Literary Passion at the Orlando Blasian Book Fair

I’m so psyched to talk about the team behind the Blasian Book Fair Orlando!

Blasian Pride 2023 Photo Credit: SD Herzog

The Blasian March proudly combines forces with Make Us Visible Florida [MUV FL] and Kizzy Books & More to present the first ever Blasian Book Fair in Orlando on Saturday September 14th, 1 – 5 PM, in Orlando, FL at A Perfect Union Art Gallery in West Oaks Mall, 9401 W. Colonial Drive. In partnership with FusionFest and A Perfect Union Art Gallery, this public event offers free books from Black, Asian and Blasian writers to bridge our communities and share similar histories and struggles for justice.

Rohan Zhou-Lee Photo credit: Josh Pacheco

Rohan Zhou-Lee is the force behind the Blasian March, a movement that has grown from a local initiative into a nationwide phenomenon. Trenessa Williams is the founder of Kizzy’s Books & More, an independent bookstore committed to embracing the African-American culture and the joy of reading.

Together, they share their stories, challenges, and visions for the future, all while gearing up for the highly anticipated Orlando Blasian Book Fair.

Rohan shares how the movement was born out of a desire to foster solidarity between Black and Asian communities, particularly in the face of rising racial tensions. They spoke candidly about the challenges they have faced along the way, from organizing events to navigating the complexities of cultural unity.

Trenessa’s deep passion for books and commitment to creating a space where diverse voices are celebrated is electrifying. I can’t wait for Central Floridians to come out and meet Trenessa to learn more about her store and share her love for books.

We are excited about the upcoming Orlando Blasian Book Fair, an event that promises to celebrate cultural diversity and literary passion. The Book Fair represents a unique opportunity to highlight the intersection of culture and literature and celebrate the voices of Black, Asian, and Blasian authors.

With over 100 books already donated from publishing houses like Haymarket Books, Scholastic, and Simon & Schuster, the Blasian Book Fair in Orlando will offer the community stories written for and by the Black, Asian, and Blasian communities alongside their intersections.

The free book fair includes Native literature to honor the people indigenous to this land. Attendees – dress and show off your heritage pride. There will also be a lineup of panels, performance art, including a lion dance, and a cosplay runway show! Everyone is welcome to participate.

Special appearances include rapper and activist Jason Chu, nationally acclaimed and award-winning teen writer Sumer Strawbree, and more! To support the event, you can donate to our Go Fund Me fundraiser, which directly benefits Kizzy’s Books & More.

Please follow @‌makeusvisibleflorida @blasianmarch @‌kizzysbooksandmore on social media to stay tuned!

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Visit our Blasian Book Fair Orlando website and RSVP here:

Blasian Book Fair | Get Tickets in Ocoee | Ticketbudticketbud.com

Discussed in this episode:

Blasian Book Fair Orlando Fundraiser, organized by Trenessa Williams

https://www.kizzysbooksandmore.com/

Blasian March

Rohan Zhou-Lee | Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok

Press release:

Orlando Press Release

https://youtu.be/9LGLsgf3VNI

THE SIFU MIMI CHAN SHOW CREDITS Host: Mimi Chan Intro Music: Mike Relm

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