The Gathering Awareness and Book Center is the essence of an ancestry marketplace, where ideas, opinions, and creative works are appreciated. The Gathering is a meeting place, an educational center; it is the heart of the “Village” under one roof. It was founded by Johnnie and Georgia Blackmon and opened in October 1989. By taking a holistic approach to providing for the community, the Gathering highlights spoken word poets, musicians, storytellers, artists, African dancers and producers.

The Gathering is a like a treasure chest filled with authentic African wood carvings, oils, incense, pure Shea butter, Black Soap, framed prints, African masks, African jewelry, books by and about the heritage of a people and a culture which dates back to the beginning of time.

Now experience everything that The Gathering Awareness and Book Center and Gift Shop has to offer by booking….

Legacy…a touch…a taste…a feel…of the richness of African culture.

Legacy is a delightfully packaged experience, which can be delivered to your next organizational meeting, family reunion or just a special get-together of friends and colleagues. Spoken word poets and authors, Blues and Jazz musicians, Artists, Dancers, and Stage Producers are the refined ingredients ofLegacy. Legacy has added to its package a networking of “Chew and Chat” Book Tour. Legacy will bring African American authors to your gathering for a short talk and a book signing. Let us be your entertainment for your reading club, women’s’ group, or church group. To schedule this unique opportunity, contact Mrs. Georgia Blackmon at (850) 438.4882 or on the Internet at info@thegatheringbookstore.com