With seven-year-old TJ Hutchinson leading the armada of creative young participants at the 2026 New Americans Book Fair and Children’s Creative Writing and Arts Festival for creating Math Trap, a Math card game, to 8 years old imaginative artist Sidy Bah, 10 years old creative writer Fatima Toure, and 12 years old reflective writer Mohamed Yusuf this year’s fair promises youth energy and vibrative atmosphere at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Karl Road branch on Saturday, 19 September 2026, from 10AM to 5PM.
“The introduction of K-12 Essay, Story and Arts Competition last year ignited a surge in youth participation and the need to create a platform for them to stive with the inaugural Children’s Creative Writing and Arts Festival at this year’s New Americans Book Fair,” said Deba Uwadiae, Coordinator of the New Americans Book Fair.
“Interestingly, all the children that won in the competition last year were honored with gifts by central Ohio-based Attorney Emmanuel Olawale for their victories.”
Twenty authors and artists with several agencies, including a staff hiring agency, are participating this year. They include Aminata Barry, Alice Powell, TJ Hutchinson, Jasmine Parker, Dureti (Mimi) Tadesse, Joe Graves, Mahamadou S Toure, Fatima Toure, Jeremy Barfield, Mohamed Yusuf, Sidy Bah, Tayo Oresotu, Said Lawal, Sam Adebuga, Irina Perry and Deba Uwadiae.
The New Americans Book Fair, promoted by the New Americans magazine and the New American Community Information Center, in collaboration with the Columbus Metropolitan Library, is an annual literary, cultural, and community‑building event that celebrates the creativity, achievements, and diverse perspectives of the community, including first‑generation Americans, immigrants, refugees, and naturalized citizens in Central Ohio and beyond.
It has grown into a signature cultural gathering in Columbus, emphasizing storytelling, identity, and community empowerment. It is another opportunity to encourage further education as a platform for new and prospective Authors, Poets, Writers, Artists, Agents and Scouts, Bookshops, Marketers, Collective Exhibitors, Film Producers, Printers, and Publishers in the new American, immigrant, the refugee community to display their work of arts and network with their national and international counterparts. It is also a platform for organizations and agencies to reach out and interact with the community.
The Children’s Creative Writing and Arts Festival provides young people with a joyful and empowering space to explore storytelling, poetry, painting, music, and performance. Through hands‑on workshops and creative showcases, children gain confidence, discover their artistic voice, and build skills that strengthen literacy and imagination. You are invited to participate by taking up space for your youth program and activities.
