Meadowbrook’s The Dock Bookshop stands out as a prime destination for celebrating Black History Month, showcasing a vibrant mix of literary events and author appearances that honor the contributions of Black writers and thinkers.
Last summer proved challenging for sisters Donna and Donya Craddock, the owners of The Dock Bookshop located at 6637 Meadowbrook Dr, Fort Worth. Their air conditioning system failed during a particularly sweltering season, but fortunately, the breakdown occurred as summer was winding down. After making significant repairs, they ensured that all of their signature events for 2025 proceeded as planned.
This year’s programming continues the tradition of highlighting Black literature. With several author events and festivals already held and more on the horizon, book lovers can explore a diverse selection of works by Black authors throughout the month.
Recent Highlights
In January, The Dock hosted an engaging evening with Jayne Kennedy, a groundbreaking actress and sports broadcaster. During her discussion with FOX 4’s Dionne Anglin, Kennedy shared insights from her memoir, Plain Jayne, which details her ascent in Hollywood and her role in breaking racial and gender barriers in sports media during the late 1970s.
Another recent highlight was Alfonza Scott Jr.’s presentation of his book, We’ve Got Something to Talk About, which captures the essence of life at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The narrative invites readers on a journey of self-discovery through the lens of a protagonist whose identity is revealed gradually, reflecting the experiences that are common in many Black families.
Char Adams, a former reporter for NBC News and People, visited The Dock in November to sign copies of her book, Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore. This work chronicles the evolution of Black bookstores from their abolitionist roots to their role in contemporary movements such as Black Lives Matter, offering a vital perspective on 200 years of Black bookselling in America.
Upcoming Events
The Dock recently hosted a virtual conversation with Denise Nicholas, an acclaimed actress and novelist, discussing her memoir, Finding Home. Moderated by Dionne Anglin, the discussion delved into Nicholas’s experiences growing up in 1950s Detroit and her transformative journey as she joined the Free Southern Theater during the civil rights movement, ultimately leading to her Hollywood career.
On February 28, Ijeoma Oluo will be at The Dock for a book signing event as part of the Bishop Arts Theatre Center’s Banned Books Festival. Her book, So You Want to Talk About Race, poses questions about race in America and provides insights on how to engage in these critical discussions. Oluo, a Denton native, has contributed to various prominent publications including The Guardian and Teen Vogue.
Additionally, authors Shelia Goss and Phyllis Dixon will join the Lit Night event to discuss their collaborative novel, Worth the Risk. Goss, a national bestselling author, brings her expertise in romance and women’s fiction to this contemporary tale, while Dixon’s novel, Something in the Water, explores themes of environmental disaster and corruption in a small Texas town.
Community Engagement
On Saturday from 1 PM to 3 PM, State Representative Nicole Collier will lead a Black History Celebration at The Dock. During this family-friendly event, she will read from Inventions to Count On by Dana Marie Miroballi as part of the Readers Are Leaders Series. Attendance is free, but RSVPs are encouraged via The Dock’s website.
For updates on future events and activities, follow The Dock Bookshop on Facebook.
