On Apr. 23-24, the LA Times Festival of Books returned to the USC campus for the first time after the pandemic. Renowned authors brought in crowds who got a first-hand scoop on the experiences that shaped their novels. Among these talented writers, four Black icons made appearances on the LA Times stages available outside, which were free for audience members to attend.

Here are those events at a glance:

Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman — who shared that she had been attending this festival since she was eight years old — did her first live poetry reading since the 2020 inauguration on the LA Times Main Stage. Her poem came straight from her new poetry book, Call Us What We Carry.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews gave a brief synopsis of his opinion on the Will Smith-Chris Rock altercation at the Oscars, rooting his perspective in his own struggles with toxic masculinity. His vulnerability is directly reflected in his book, Tough: My Journey to True Power, where he delves deeper into the true meaning of toughness — one that is not rooted in violence — that he has adopted for his livelihood.

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland graced the Children’s Stage at the festival, giving a live reading of Always With You, Always With Me with her co-author Jessica McKay. The story focuses on the celebration of working moms, and offers loving words to leave their children with even when they have to part ways for the day.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter discussed how the need to write his memoir, Unprotected, skyrocketed during the pandemic. He emphasized the similarities between current legislation targeting LGBTQ+ children and the Reagan administration’s ignorance of the AIDs epidemic, urging the audience to consider how progress must be a constant fight.