Aaliyah Bilal, author of the story collection, Temple Folk 

Aaliyah Bilal’s debut story collection, Temple Folk (2023), is a groundbreaking portrait of the lived experiences of Black Muslims-a community rarely featured in U.S. literature-as they grapple with the challenges of faith, family, and freedom in America.
Bilal, who grew up in a Black Muslim family outside Washington, D.C., presents a diverse cast of flawed, heroic, and memorable characters. Edward P. Jones said, “Temple Folk is more than a special literary accomplishment, it is a gift of glorious songs…. this gift should be praised from as many rooftops as possible.” A finalist for the 2023 National Book Award for Fiction, it was named one of TIME magazine's “100 Must-Read Books of 2023.”
The event moderator was Alyssa Lotmore, Assistant to the Dean for Communications and Engagement (SSW) at University at Albany.