Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Hosts Book Release for NAACPImageAward Nominee R. Kayeen Thomas

WASHINGTON - April 15, 2013 - PRLog -- (Washington, DC) – On April 30, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, a longstanding advocate of equality and civil rights, will host a book release celebration for 2013 NAACP Image Award Nominee Author R. Kayeen Thomas, a Washington, DC native, whose novels build bridges between the experiences of African American slaves, the civil rights generation and today’s African American Culture. The Book Release event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20009. Enjoy a meet and greet, discussion and book signing. There is no cost to attend the event. Registration is requested at http://rktbookrelease.eventbrite.com/.

The event will celebrate Thomas’ upcoming release The Seven Days (Simon & Schuster, April 16) and also the success of Antebellum, which secured Thomas a 2013 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Debut Author.

“In Kayeen Thomas, our city has produced a prolific, young novelist and playwright just six years out of college and already author of three books,” said Norton.  “The Banneker High School and Carleton College graduate brings the hip-hop sensibilities of his generation to his work with universal appeal.”

“As a native Washingtonian, growing up in Southeast, I am honored to have my city and my Congresswoman support my work. I have been searching for ways to reach out to my hometown, to let people in my community know that I exist and so this is really an answered prayer. I’m looking forward to a great event!” Thomas added.

The Seven Days (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Seven-Days/R-Kayeen-Tho...) is the prequel to the critically acclaimed Antebellum (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Seven-Days/R-Kayeen-Thomas/9781593094270) and tells the powerful story of what happens when a man in modern society is possessed with the spirits of dead slaves. Antebellum is about a rapper whose given name is Moses Jenkins, but his stage name is Da Nigga. Through a series of events, Moses is transported back into the antebellum slavery period and forced to experience slavery firsthand. He then returns to the present day, with all of his memories intact, and has to figure out how to continue to live his life in the context of what he went through as a slave. Light: Stories of Urban Resurrection, (http://www.amazon.com/LIGHT-stories-resurrection-Kayeen-T...) Thomas' first book, is a compilation of short stories that dig deep into the heart of consciousness of the black and urban communities.  It is available in

e-book format.

About R. Kayeen Thomas

R. Kayeen Thomas is an author, poet, playwright, hip-hop artist, journalist, and social justice advocate. He self-published his first book, Light: Stories of Urban Resurrection, during his junior year at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. His novel, Antebellum, has garnered praise from such notables as Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and received acclaim from numerous publications, including Publishers Weekly. Most-recently, Thomas was nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Debut Author. His third novel, The Seven Days, will be released on April 16, 2013. He resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife and daughter.