CCNY Alumna Saraciea J. Fennell Brings Literary Dream to the Bronx
Words by Stephanie Gaitan
Photograph by Brandon King
Illustration by Katie Herchenroeder
The Bronx has recentlybecome a cultural hub for literary activity, in part thanks to City College graduate, Saraciea J. Fennell.The Bronx Book Festival, an annualliterary event that caters to residents of the Bronx, first took place in thesummer of 2018. This year the festival will take place on Saturday, June 8 at FordhamPlaza and Fordham University. Erika Sanchez (I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter), Mark Oshiro (Anger is a Gift), and NoNieqa Ramos (The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary), amongseveral other authors, panelists, and vendors will be featured at the festivalthis year.
Its founder, Saraciea Fennell,a former accounting major, first stepped onto the path to The Bronx BookFestivalwhen she transferred to CCNYas an English major. Once here, her advisor Yana Joseph presented thepublishing certificate program to her; she went for it and the seeds were sown.ProfessorsMarkMirsky, Lynn Applebaum, Retha Powers, and David Unger inspired her and gave her“the fuel she needed to graduate and pursue [her] career in publishing,” sheshared. She landed an internship with “Simon and Schuster” and aftergraduation, continuing to work for the company later. She now works as apublicist in publishing with “Tor.”
When the Bronx’s onlygeneral-interest bookstore, a Barnes and Noble located in Co-op City, closed inDecember of 2016, Saraciea focused her efforts on the development of a bookfestival. Her original plan was to open a children’s bookstore in the Bronx andeventually work her way towards hosting a children’s/teen’s book festival, butshe saw the immediate need in her community for a place where bookish Bronxitesof all ages could gather and connect, and thus the Bronx Book Festival wasborn.
It began as a “Kickstarter”campaign that exceeded its funding goal of $30,000 and incorporated a newreading literacy program for Title I public schools — The Bronx is Reading(TBIR) literacy program. This program brought several published authors andbooks, at no cost to Bronx schools and children who live in underservedcommunities. As a Bronxite herself that lacked literary exposure as a child, Fennellsought to create the largest impact she could.
Last year, through the TBIRprogram, Elizabeth Acevedo (The Poet X),Sayantani DasGupta (The Serpent’s Secret),and Tracey Baptiste (The Jumbles),visited Title I Bronx schools. In addition to a festival and literacy program,Saraciea also birthed a book club. The Bronx is Reading book club meets at The AndrewFreedman Home once a month on Saturdays – all are welcome, and teens areencouraged to attend.
Fennell is a full-timepublicist and mother who passionately believes in making a positive differencein her community. Regarding this, she said, “I am so proud to give back to mycommunity and especially children and teens of color. Representation matters. Iam so happy that I get to play a small part in sparking change amongcommunities of color.”
The festival offersvolunteer opportunities that allow students and book-lovers alike to seefirsthand what it takes to put on a literary festival and a chance to meetauthors as well as illustrators. Sixty to seventy volunteers are typicallyneeded the day of the festival. This is a great opportunity for English majorswho are interested in creative writing and the publishing industry.
When asked if she had anyadvice for current English majors, Fennell responded, “English can open manydoors for you, teaching is not the only answer. You can work in bookpublishing, magazine publishing, and so much more. Have as many informationalinterviews as possible and ask to shadow an employee at a company you areinterested in working for.”
She continued, “Sometimeswe think we don’t have options, but we do and the only way to explore thoseoptions is to ask questions and gain as much information as possible. So beproactive and make connections, ask questions, and network as much as you can!”
CCNY alumna Saraciea J. Fennellserves as an inspiration for English majors and those who are pursuing careersin the book industry. Her success serves as a reminder to our diversepopulation at City Collegethatdreams are achievable.
