Events › Read Brave: The African Art of Healing - Past, Present and Future

Kick off Read Brave 2025 by stepping into the world of Akata Witch at this immersive event inspired by the magical city of Leopard Knocks. In partnership with the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing, the library will transform into a vibrant space celebrating Black and African Diaspora empowerment, art, and ancestral reconnection. Just as Sunny in Akata Witch uncovers hidden parts of herself and connects with her ancestors, this event offers a chance to explore the ways that healing, identity, and cultural traditions are deeply intertwined.

Wander through different floors of the library, each offering unique experiences:

• Healing & Spiritual Services – Explore vendor tables featuring energy work, tarot reading, divination, and more.

• Face Painting & Mask Making – Participants can design masks that reflect their hidden powers and magical identities

• Ancestral Reconnection & Meditation – Engage in a self-led experience with Afrofuturist sounds and reflection.

Explore the Visitor's Guide for a sneak peek at the event's offerings.

This open-house-style event welcomes families, teens, and young people to engage with the themes of Akata Witch while celebrating culture, community, and magic. Please register to help us plan, though registration is not required.

Don’t miss this opportunity to step into a world where magic, culture, and community come together! 

Read Brave Saint Paul is brought to you by the Saint Paul Public Library and The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. This program is funded, in part, with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.