
Author Talk w/ Monica
Pull up and celebrate one of Kansas City’s own + Essence bestselling author, Monica Garner. Get a chance to meet the author + hear all about her newly released romance novel, Summer on Cape May.
THE BOOK:
Set over one summer in the charming seaside resort of Cape May, New Jersey, amid the planning of a lavish wedding three longtime friends find that past secrets, new loves, and hard choices test their bond like never before. Perfect for fans of Brenda Jackson, Rhonda McKnight, and Susan Mallery.
Fast friends since forever, Lu, Kenya, and Natalia share a special love for the historical beach town of Cape May. For Lu, it was a welcome escape from the corporate arena into a simpler life—owning a B&B with her soon-to-be-husband, Zach. . . . Kenya fell for Cape May's tranquil shores and believed she and her high school sweetheart would be there together forever. . . . And family vineyard owner Natalia feels it’s the perfect place to complete her happy marriage with the baby—or babies—she desperately longs for . . .
But as the trio plans Lu's lavish wedding, the bride-to-be is stunned when the estranged father she thought was dead shows up to make amends—and throws her every certainty about family and love into heartbreaking doubt. Meanwhile, widowed Kenya is drawn to a kind, attractive stranger, even as she wonders if passion is enough to risk her future on. And when Natalia uncovers an unthinkable betrayal, the secrets she and her friends have kept from each other will explode across the long summer nights . . .
Moving and relatable, here is a captivating story of true sisterhood, and the ties that challenge us—and help us heal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Monica Garner is an Essence bestselling author of contemporary mainstream fiction, romance, and young adult novels. She began her publishing career under the penname Monica McKayhan, releasing her debut with BET Books and then going on to publish with Harlequin. Her YA debut, Indigo Summer, was the launch title for Harlequin’s Kimani TRU imprint and became a #7 Essence bestseller, a Black Issues Book Review (BIBR) bestseller, and an American Library Association YALSA Quick Pick for 3 consecutive years. Under the name Monica Richardson, she is the author of the Talbots of Harbour Island, a 4-installment romance series set in the Caribbean Islands, and Last Sunset Over Mexico. She lives in Texas and can be found online at www.Monica-Writes.com.

Comic Book Workshop w/ Brandon
Ready to Bring Your Comic to Life?
Whether you’ve got a killer story idea or just a passion for storytelling, this workshop will take you from concept to creation—and beyond. Learn how to craft compelling characters, build immersive worlds, plan layouts, work with artists, and even navigate coloring, lettering, and printing.
By the end, you won’t just dream of making a comic—you’ll know how to make one from start to finish and how to self-publish it like a pro.
If you’ve ever said “I wish I knew how to make a comic,” this is your moment. Let’s make it real.

Dear Mama: With Love
Our annual Mother’s Day celebration is BACK!
Whether you’re a mama, honoring one, or honoring their spirit—this space is for you.
This year, we’re switching it up:
• Candle-making with @heavenscentcollective
• Charcuterie + mimosa bar
• Hand-picked floral arrangements
• Beautiful vibes & connection
Tickets are LIMITED and this will sell out fast.
🌹🌹🌹

Indie Bookstore Day: Book Swap
Indie Bookstore Day: Book Swap & Beignets
Celebrate Indie Bookstore Day with us at BLK + BRWN. with a Book Swap & Beignets—an event that blends community, culture, and conversation over books, coffee, and fresh-made beignets!
How It Works:
Bring up to three gently used books to swap with fellow book lovers.
Each book you bring earns you a ticket to select a new-to-you book from the swap table.
No books to bring? No problem! A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase.
Why You Should Join:
Find a new read while giving your pre-loved books a new home.
Enjoy delicious beignets, made in-house, and sip on Kinship Café’s locally roasted coffee.
Connect with other book lovers and support your favorite indie bookstore!
🎟️ Ticket Info:
$5 Entry Fee (includes one book swap ticket + a beignet)
Additional swap tickets available for $3 each
Beignets & coffee available for separate purchase
Let’s swap stories, share flavors, and celebrate Indie Bookstore Day together! 📚✨

analog: jazz + the black avant garde
Join us for Analog Night, an immersive evening of sound, storytelling, and sonic revolution as we explore the legacy of Jazz & the Black Avant-Garde. From the cosmic philosophies of Sun Ra to the genre-defying genius of Miles Davis and the boundary-pushing artistry of Esperanza Spalding, this night will celebrate the fearless innovation of Black musicians who redefined what music could be.
Through curated vinyl listening sessions, poetry, and discussion, we’ll dive into how jazz has been a vessel for liberation, experimentation, and Black radical imagination. Whether you're a longtime jazz lover or a curious newcomer, come vibe, listen, and honor the soundscapes of rebellion and freedom.
📀 No algorithms, just analog. Let the records spin.
🎟️ Space is limited—RSVP now!

Silent Bookclub
No assigned reading, no pressure—just a cozy space to read and vibe in community. Bring your own book or grab one from our shelves, settle in with a cup of coffee, and enjoy an hour of uninterrupted reading time, followed by optional discussion and connection.
All are welcome—just bring a book and yourself!

Movie Night: A Low Down Dirty
Movie Night is backkkkkk!
Thanks to our good friends over at Stray Cat, every month we get to screen something Blackity Black for the community. All tickets help keep their programming run all year long, and are pay-what-you-can.

Movie Night: Waiting to Exhale
Movie Night is backkkkkk! Join us as we watch the classic film adaptation of the same name by Terry McMillian, Waiting to Exhale.
Thanks to our good friends over at Stray Cat, every month we get to screen something Blackity Black for the community. All tickets help keep their programming run all year long, and are pay-what-you-can.

Feminist Bookclub
This month our bookclub will be meeting to discuss our collective’s pick, Refusing Compulsory Sexuality.

Analog: Black Women in Sound
Join us for a hifi evening in the bookstore. With a carefully curated selection of vinyls, enjoy our BLK + BRWN. after hours.
Our spring lineup:
March - Black Women in Sound
April - Jazz & The Black Avant Garde
May - Soul &Funk

For Colored Girls
for colored girls will be an intimate celebration of sisterhood, womanhood, and our sexuality + bodily autonomy. Whether you identify as femme or masc presenting for colored girls is for us all. shange’s work and legacy has always been about celebrating the everyday lives of black and brown women while calling us to find joy in ourselves. this event will consist of community readings of ntozake shange, storytelling and communion.
lite bites + drinks included in ticket.
Open Mic Night
It’s been a while since we’ve hosted an open Mic night @ bnb! Whether you enjoy hearing poetry or you are a poet -- come kick it in community. This space is for you. We will be featuring poets from all different skill sets and walks of life.S
Doors Open 6:30 pm / Open Mic 7-9 pm
$5 for guests
$3 for poets
Free for poets who attended the workshop

Love Letters
love letters will be an offering, an act, and a promise to our selves, loved ones, + community. wherever you may feel like calling in a practice of radical love for 2025. bell hooks’ work and legacy have been crucial in our understanding + practice of love -- romantically, spiritually, platonically, communally, etc. -- this event will consist of community readings of bell hooks, letter writing, and communion.
supplies, lite bites + drinks included in ticket.

Community Bookclub
The group will meet at the end of the month to discuss the bookclub pick for this month. Guests are welcome to bring a snack/drink to share for the meeting.
Our meeting takes place inside the bookstore and is a limited capacity situation. So we will send confirmation and reminder emails before the event.

Carter G. Woodson and W.E.B. Du Bois On the Souls of Black Folks
This monthly literary analysis series aspires to illuminate the rich tapestry of Black literature, offering participants a comprehensive exploration of the works of prominent authors. Through focused sessions, attendees will delve into the life, literary style, and thematic contributions of different Black authors, engaging in discussions that dissect topics such as race, identity, feminism, activism, and more.

Blk Feminist Bookclub
The group meets once a month to discuss books written by Black women writers virtually. Once registered you will receive an email confirmation with access to register for the bookclub call. In order to get access you must be approved and registered before the meeting date.

Gloria Naylor and Ntozake Shange on Womanhood Roles in literature
This monthly literary analysis series aspires to illuminate the rich tapestry of Black literature, offering participants a comprehensive exploration of the works of prominent authors. Through focused sessions, attendees will delve into the life, literary style, and thematic contributions of different Black authors, engaging in discussions that dissect topics such as race, identity, feminism, activism, and more.

Author Event: Sheila Hackbarth
Join us for an author event with Sheila Hackbarth, author of children’s book, Lion’s Water. A beautiful story about bravery and features the incredibly rare tree-climbing lion’s of Uganda.
this event is family friendly. Space is limited so please rsvp. Hope to see you there!
The perfect gift for your readers or collectors.

Pages + Poses Yoga Class
The bookstore hosts a monthly community yoga class led by yoga instructor, Jennifer Lin.
This yoga class is unlike many other classes as it is deeply intentional on being truly inclusive — Pages + Poses is a safe space dedicated to creating a meaningful introduction into the yoga practice. Our classes are welcoming to all skill levels, ages, body shapes + sizes.
The class is a gentle 60 minute yoga flow.

Movie Night
Join us for another monthly community collaboration with our good friends at Stray Cat. Each month they are kind enough to allow us to host a free movie night in their space.

Community Bookclub
The group will meet at the end of the month to discuss the bookclub pick for this month. Guests are welcome to bring a snack/drink to share for the meeting.
Our meeting takes place inside the bookstore and is a limited capacity situation. So we will send confirmation and reminder emails before the event.

Pages + Poses Yoga Class
The bookstore hosts a monthly community yoga class led by yoga instructor, Jennifer Lin.
This yoga class is unlike many other classes as it is deeply intentional on being truly inclusive — Pages + Poses is a safe space dedicated to creating a meaningful introduction into the yoga practice. Our classes are welcoming to all skill levels, ages, body shapes + sizes.
The class is a gentle 60 minute yoga flow.

Elaine Brown, Huey P. Newton, + Other Black Panther/Activist Writers Activism, Revolution, and Social Justice
This monthly literary analysis series aspires to illuminate the rich tapestry of Black literature, offering participants a comprehensive exploration of the works of prominent authors. Through focused sessions, attendees will delve into the life, literary style, and thematic contributions of different Black authors, engaging in discussions that dissect topics such as race, identity, feminism, activism, and more.

Movie Night
Join us for another monthly community collaboration with our good friends at Stray Cat. Each month they are kind enough to allow us to host a free movie night in their space.

Blk Feminist Bookclub
The group meets once a month to discuss books written by Black women writers virtually. Once registered you will receive an email confirmation with access to register for the bookclub call. In order to get access you must be approved and registered before the meeting date.

Pages + Poses Yoga Class
The bookstore hosts a monthly community yoga class led by yoga instructor, Jennifer Lin.
This yoga class is unlike many other classes as it is deeply intentional on being truly inclusive — Pages + Poses is a safe space dedicated to creating a meaningful introduction into the yoga practice. Our classes are welcoming to all skill levels, ages, body shapes + sizes.
The class is a gentle 60 minute yoga flow.

A Century of Baldwin Party
As we celebrate Baldwin’s 100th birthday this month, we decided what better way than with a party for Baldwin? Join us as we reflect on his timeless wisdom, his every so timely social commentary in kickback form. Tickets range from $5-$10. Lite bites, drinks, and community.

Movie Night
Join us for another monthly community collaboration with our good friends at Stray Cat. Each month they are kind enough to allow us to host a free movie night in their space.

Community Bookclub Meet Up
This month our bookclub will be discussing the iconic and revolutionary work of abolitionist, Mariame Kaba.

Pages + Poses Yoga Class
The bookstore hosts a monthly community yoga class led by yoga instructor, Jennifer Lin.
This yoga class is unlike many other classes as it is deeply intentional on being truly inclusive — Pages + Poses is a safe space dedicated to creating a meaningful introduction into the yoga practice. Our classes are welcoming to all skill levels, ages, body shapes + sizes.
The class is a gentle 60 minute yoga flow.

Movie Night
Join us for another monthly community collaboration with our good friends at Stray Cat. Each month they are kind enough to allow us to host a free movie night in their space.