Descendants of Clotilda survivor among authors featured at Birmingham Public Library expo
The free event will bring together more than 30 Alabama writers whose works span children's literature, historical fiction, memoirs and more.
Ethan Parker 
The Birmingham Public Library is buzzing with literary talent today as it hosts the 2026 Local Authors’ Expo. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors at 2100 Park Place can meet more than 30 Alabama writers, browse a diverse collection of books ranging from children’s literature to historical fiction, and enjoy a full day of storytelling—all free of charge.
A Powerful Legacy
Among the day’s highlights are Birmingham sisters Deborah Sanders and Gwendolyn Sanders Gamble. As former foot soldiers in the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement, these authors bring a unique historical perspective to the event. They are the great-granddaughters of Matilda, a survivor of the Clotilda, the final known ship to illegally transport enslaved Africans to the U.S. in 1860.
The sisters document their family history in Matilda’s Story: Through the Eyes of Four Sisters, which chronicles their lineage from the hardships of slavery to their own roles in the Civil Rights Movement. Their great-grandmother, originally named Àbáké, was just a toddler when she was forced onto the ship. Despite being renamed Matilda and separated from her mother, she maintained her cultural heritage and later displayed immense courage, even walking 15 miles to a Selma courthouse at age 71 to demand justice for the crimes committed against her as a child. Additionally, the sisters are contributors to Foot Soldiers for Democracy: The Men, Women, and Children of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement.
Meet the Authors
The expo features a wide array of voices, including authors Janetta Benefield, Tiffiney Rodgers-McDaniel, Gary Minder, Sheila Montgomery, Amanda Nabors, Rachel Pendley, Rylee Twilley, and Mariah Weber. Their works span Christian devotionals, literary fiction, and award-winning narratives.
Presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links Inc. and the Birmingham Public Library, the event also hosts keynote presentations. Birmingham-based artist and author YOGI DADA will share insights from her latest release, Djembe Chronicles: Humans, Animals & Angels, a collection of 22 short stories sparked by her experiences playing the djembe in local parks. Furthermore, Hope Fortenberry of Rocky Heights Print and Binding will host a session to guide aspiring writers through the nuances of book production, printing, and binding.
