At 80-years-old, Dr. Rosie Mulligan remains a passionate advocate for aspiring authors. As the founder of Black Writers on Tour, she has assisted 450 individuals to realize their dreams of becoming published authors and 35 authors to become publishers, making a lasting impact on the literary world.
Undeterred by a deluge of spring showers, hundreds of people recently attended the 29th Annual Black Writers On Tour (BWOT) at the Carson Community Center to meet authors and attend seminars on how to write and publish a book. Dr. Rosie has been successful because she helps authors through the entire process – from editing and publishing to marketing and promotion.
“I am more committed than ever to helping Black authors tell their stories and pushing Black business owners from survival to success,” Dr. Rosie, who has also authored more than 30 books. “As attempts to erase Black history and culture intensify, we must protect the gateway to truth.
“Gentrification has changed everything. We can no longer rely on local foot traffic to sustain our businesses. It’s time to think nationally and globally. If America can trade with China, we can do business across 50 states and beyond,” she added.
Dr. Rosie said she is already planning the 2026 30th BWOT. She said to expect some exciting changes that include changing the date. It will no longer be held on the same day as the Los Angeles Book Festival. She also plans to make the tour program longer.
Despite the power of behemoth streamers, the book market is thriving, giving aspiring writers hope to realize a dream. BWOT gives emerging authors, entrepreneurs, and aspiring writers from across the country an opportunity to be self-reliant and thrive in a Black ecosystem. Jan Robinson said she traveled from Sacramento for that very reason.
“I came to this event to get some inspiration to finally publish my manuscript,” said Robinson. “I’ve been sitting at home forever on my computer, trying to finish. I needed to get some inspiration by seeing authors who look like me,” she added.
One of the most popular seminars at BWOT was led by Dr. Bill Releford. A trailblazing physician, founder of Black Limbs Matter, the Foot & Ankle Institute, and now the 250-acre Bloom Ranch in Acton, Dr. Releford has elevated his mission to transform people’s health by offering farm-to-table produce.
“If I can show you a hamburger enough times, I can have you thinking you deserve a break today,” joked Releford, the author of “5 Colors A Day To Better Health: 5 Colors For Life.”
“Before I can get you to the nutritional part, before I change your destiny (I need to address your thinking). There’s nothing worse than telling someone to change their diet when they’re still thinking the same way,” he added.
An ardent supporter, Phyllis Battles, a member of the 5th Dimension, attended Dr. Releford’s seminar.
“I’ve known Dr. Releford for many years,” said Battles. “I’ve been inspired by him. When I found out he had the farm, I took a trip up there and started getting (Bloom Farm) vegetables delivered to me.”
