Publix has withdrawn its sponsorship from the upcoming Black Book Bash, a three-day literary event scheduled for October 3–5, 2025, in Jacksonville.
Publix had initially committed to supporting the event and even demanded that they be given “title sponsorship with exclusivity” of the event, but after backing out, they blamed the move on the current “political climate” as the reason for withdrawing.
The Trump administration has rolled out a series of moves critics say threaten to silence Black storytelling and rewrite U.S. history. From scrapping diversity programs across the federal government to ordering museums, such as the Smithsonian, to strip “divisive” exhibits, the White House is reshaping how the nation remembers its past.
New rules ban schools from teaching what officials call “anti-American” lessons, while funding cuts hit minority-serving colleges and diversity content has quietly disappeared from military websites. Supporters frame the effort as restoring “patriotism,” but historians warn it risks censorship, revisionism, and erasing the voices of Black communities from America’s story.
Publix did not provide further details about what specific factors influenced the decision but told the event organizers that they are “pausing all sponsorships.” They declined to follow through with their financial support anonymously.
The Black Book Bash was founded by two Black women, La-Tasha Estelle and Casey R. Kelley, and is a community celebration of literature, authorship, and family engagement, with programming aimed at children, families and book lovers across Jacksonville and beyond. According to the website, the annual event highlights Black writers, storytellers and cultural voices, while also serving as a platform for local literacy initiatives.
Comedian and actor, Roy Wood Jr., Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Actress Kim Fields and Dr. Ian Smith are all scheduled to appear.
To offset the loss, organizers have turned to the public for support and a donation campaign has been launched to cover expenses and keep the festival on track.
“While this was an unexpected setback, our mission remains unchanged,” event organizers said in a statement. “We are asking the community to stand with us so we can continue celebrating stories that matter.”
Organizers insist the Black Book Bash will go forward as scheduled in October, promising a lineup of authors, workshops and family activities.
