*Please note new location* Bauder Book Talk - Dhonielle Clayton and Ashley Woodfolk

Program Type:

Author & Literary Events

Age Group:

Teens, Adults
Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.
  • Registration is required for this event.
  • Registration is no longer available for this event.

Event Details

**Please note new location: Due to facilities issues at HCLS East Columbia Branch, this event will take place at the East Columbia 50+ Center at 4:30 pm on November 6, 2025.

Celebrate the voices of young Black girls in literature at this year's Bauder Book Talk.  Dhonielle Clayton and Ashley Woodfolk share how their stories center joy, magic, and truth while creating space for Black teens to see themselves on the page. 

Clayton is a New York Times bestselling author and former middle school librarian whose work celebrates Black joy, magic, and possibility. She is the author of The Belles series and the Conjureverse series (The Marvellers, The Memory Thieves).

A champion of diverse stories, she is also the COO of We Need Diverse Books and the founder of Cake Creative Kitchen, a story packaging company dedicated to creating books for kids and teens. With her dazzling fantasy worlds and commitment to truth-telling, Clayton brings to life stories where young Black girls are centered, empowered, and seen. 

Ashley Woodfolk is a co-author of Blackout, an acclaimed YA novel that follows thirteen teenagers in six interlinked stories. After a summer heatwave causes a citywide power outage in New York City, Black teens explore love, friendships, and hidden truths over the course of a single day. 

Woodfolk is the critically acclaimed author of The Beauty That Remains and When You Were Everything. Her work explores love, loss, friendship, and the complexities of finding one’s voice. A former publishing professional, Woodfolk is celebrated for her lyrical prose and heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply with teens. 

Bauder Book Talks by Howard County Library System is made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Lillian Bauder, a community leader and Columbia resident. Howard County Library System will present an annual endowed author event, known as Bauder Book Talks, for underserved students in grades 6-8 attending public middle schools in Columbia with high percentages of African American and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students. Authors and titles selected are high-interest and high-quality on topics of social issues, equity, and related matters. Student participants have the opportunity to hear from and engage with the author. The event honors the memory of Don Bauder, late husband of Dr. Lillian Bauder and a champion of civil rights and social justice causes. 

American Sign Language interpreters will be provided at this event. 

Registration is required for every attendee. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional standing room is available once all seats are occupied.