Friends of Chester Himes:
Who we are and what we do?

The Friends of Chester Himes (“FOCH”):

• Founded by a group of mystery aficionados in 1994
• Volunteer non-profit organization promoting literacy among Bay Area youth
• Recognizes published African American mystery writers.
• Named for Chester Himes, the first nationally published black mystery writer

FOCH sponsors:

• Mystery writer’s conference
• Student writing contest for Oakland High School students

Some of the authors participating in and attending the conference over the past ten years include:

Chester Himes
first nationally published
African American
mystery writer