The Cookout is a community-centered literary event inspired by the cookouts many of us grew up going to. The kind where the uncle was on the grill in his slides, kids were running around playing tag and freeze, cousins were competing on the basketball court, and the adults were posted up dancing, laughing, and talking loud while the music played.

Rooted in that full cookout energy, The Cookout brings Black readers, authors, and book lovers together for a day of food, games, music, vendors, and shared love of Black stories. Contributions to this campaign help support the production, programming, and experiences that make the event possible.