June 19-20, 2015 will mark the First Annual Juneteenth Book Festival, a cultural book festival celebrating the works and stories of Americans of the African Diaspora as recognition of their vast literary contributions leading up to and following the 1865 Emancipation Proclamation in the United States of America. The Juneteenth Book Festival (JBF)'s purpose is to highlight and celebrate literature and its critical role in the pursuit and protection of survival, freedom and expansion of African-American men, women and children. It is the only of its kind being held in the nation's capital. Literacy has always been a critical means to freedom and an important tool in obtaining and preserving civil rights for all Americans: that certainly rings true for African-Americans. One of the most monumental periods in American history was the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, recognized on June 19th, marks the day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The fact that President Lincoln issued it three years before many enslaved African-Americans were informed of their legal release is proof positive of the damaging effects of not having access to or the ability to interpret information. During this two-day event publishers like Dr. Haki Madhubuti, authors like Marita Golden, literary and education-focused institution leaders like Dr. Brenda Greene of the Center for Black Literature, performers like internationally known hiphop entertainer and educator, Asheru, and vendors will gather to education, exhibit, sell, engage and entertain visitors with literacy-based events and products at Howard University, the Library of Congress and Anacostia National Park.