Join us for the 2024 Power of Words: Changing Our World-One Story at a Time

Help bring inspiring, award-winning authors to Monroe County!

Join us for the 2024 Power of Words: Changing Our World-One Story at a Time image

Become a sponsor for the Power of Words!

The Power of Words is a biennial event presented since 2007 by the Friends of the Library. Our goal is to create a visible community of readers by hosting an author writing on important topics of our time—and more specifically, topics that speak to the average citizen’s ability to positively change the world in which we live.

Power of Words 2024 is dedicated to amplifying authentic voices and celebrating the richness of diversity in literature, featuring acclaimed authors Ashley Hope Pérez and Jacinda Townsend in conversation with Yael Ksander as they explore the transformative power of storytelling.

Jacinda Townsend and Ashley Hope Perez will give a talk at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Saturday, November 9 at 7 PM, that will be free to the public. After the talk, Townsend and Perez will sign books at the Downtown Library during a ticketed reception.

Ashley Hope Pérez, an author of Young Adult (YA) fiction with a passion for representation, brings her background as an educator and her deep connections with her students to her writing. Her critically acclaimed works, including Out of Darkness and The Knife and the Butterfly, offers an honest look into the lives of young people in the margins of society. Pérez’s stories steer clear of stereotypes and generalizations, presenting complex characters and nuanced narratives that reflect real-life experiences. Her dedication to making #OwnVoices central in YA and children’s literature is evident on every page.

Jacinda Townsend, an author of Adult fiction, brings a rich tapestry of lived experiences from her upbringing in Kentucky and travels throughout the world. Her novel Mother Country, offers a compelling exploration into motherhood and survival, inspired by real-life encounters with modern-day slavery and human trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and Mali. Her award winning Saint Monkey, a vibrant coming-of-age story set in 1950’s Eastern Kentucky and the Harlem Jazz scene, provides a powerful exploration of personal and cultural histories. Keep an eye out for her highly anticipated novel, Trigger Warning, set to release in 2026.

Your sponsorship of Power of Words 2024 will create opportunities for people in Monroe County to engage with Jacinda Townsend and Ashley Hope Perez's writing: to read, discuss, meet, and act.

Your involvement, whether through attendance, financial support, or spreading the word, helps us continue the vital work of amplifying diverse voices and empowering communities through storytelling.

Together, we can create a world where every story is heard and valued. Thank you!

When you become a Power of Words sponsor you will receive Premium Power of Words tickets. You will enjoy seats in a reserved section for the free Power of Words talk at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Then you will head to Monroe County Public Library to meet authors Jacinda Townsend and Ashley Hope Perez while you have your books signed, enjoy live music, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres created by Marco & Polo Eurasion Cuisine.

Platinum Sponsor $2,500

  • 6 premium tickets for admission to the book signing and gala reception at Monroe County Public Library and premium seating at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
  • Acknowledgement from the podium at the Power of Words Buskirk-Chumley Theater event
  • Platinum Sponsor listing in printed Power of Words program distributed at BCT event
  • Recognition in Friends of the Library news and media releases. Logo on print flyers and posters
  • Business name or logo and interactive link on the Power of Words webpage: mcpl.info/pow
  • 4 tickets donated on your behalf to allow student leaders, library staff, and community members to attend Power of Words gala author book signing reception

Gold Sponsor $1,500

  • 4 premium tickets for admission to the book signing and gala reception at Monroe County Public Library and premium seating at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
  • Acknowledgement from the podium at the Power of Words Buskirk-Chumley Theater event
  • Gold Sponsor listing in printed Power of Words program distributed at BCT event
  • Business name or logo and interactive link on the Power of Words webpage: mcpl.info/pow
  • 4 tickets donated on your behalf to allow student leaders, library staff, and community members to attend Power of Words gala author book signing reception

Silver Sponsor $650

  • 2 premium tickets for admission to the book signing and gala reception at Monroe County Public Library and premium seating at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
  • Silver Sponsor listing in printed Power of Words program distributed at BCT event
  • Business name or logo and interactive link on the Power of Words webpage: mcpl.info/pow
  • 2 tickets donated on your behalf to allow student leaders, library staff, and community members to attend Power of Words gala author book signing reception

Bronze Sponsor $250

  • 1 premium ticket for admission to the book signing and gala reception at Monroe County Public Library and premium seating at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
  • Bronze Sponsor listing in printed Power of Words program distributed at BCT event
  • 1 ticket donated on your behalf to allow student leaders, library staff, and community members to attend Power of Words gala author book signing reception