On Saturday, July 27, 2024, 1-2:30 p.m., in cojunction to the customary visual arts component and in collaboration with literary and visual arts organization, Woodland Pattern, This is America will feature a book and author talk with Kleaver Cruz, creator of The Black Joy Project. This powerful art-infused journal stands as positive affirmation and a manifesto to reclaiming and exalting joy in face of repressive and spirit-depleting experiences that plague the diasporic Black existence. Amongst the selection of over 100 artists, The Black Joy Project visual art contributions also include works by UW-Milwaukee graduate and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design graduate, Destiny Brady and LaDasia Bryant, with their original works, For Us By Us- Media Site Plan III and Womanhood, being showcased in This is America as well. Books will available for purchase throughout the duration of the exhibition and available for signing during the author talk.