From Survival to Purpose: Dr. Tonesa Welch
Join us for this unforgettable book release and meet the woman behind First Lady of BMF—live, in person, and during Black History Month.
📚 Dr. Tonesa Welch brings her powerful, debut memoir book to Detroit! ✨ 10th Annual African American Family Book Expo & Read-In 2026✨
📍 Where: Developing K.I.D.S. - Village Hall
📅 When: Sat. Feb. 21st | 12:00 Noon – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Location: 24230 W. McNichols, Detroit 48219
✨Former First Lady of BMF✨
Dr. Tonesa Welch is stepping boldly into her next chapter—and she’s bringing it home to Detroit! Known to many as the real-life inspiration behind First Lady of BMF, Dr. Welch now returns to the spotlight with the release of her powerful new book, sharing her story through the lens of truth, growth, and transformation.
Join us as we celebrate her official book release at the 10th Annual African American Family Book Expo & Read-In 2026, where readers, families and community leaders will gather for a historic Black History Month literary experience.
Meet Dr. Tonesa Welch in-person, hear her story firsthand, and be part of an unforgettable conversation centered on resilience, accountability, and reclaiming one’s narrative. This special appearance is a milestone moment in our 10-year anniversary celebration.
Let’s show up to support this dynamic author, advocate, and speaker whose journey continues to inspire communities nationwide. This is more than a book release—it’s a powerful homecoming.
About the Book:
Black Mafia Queen: The Woman Behind the BMF Empire, $28.00 Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1496752765 | 240 Pages
In this incredible-but-true crime memoir from “The First Lady of BMF” (Black Mafia Family), Tonesa Welch reveals the dramatic story of her unlikely rise from middle-class teenaged mom to Mafia Queen of Detroit, from Beverly Hills mansions to federal prison—and from a life of danger and self-doubt to one of acceptance, redemption, and love . . .
How did a nice middle-class girl from Detroit become one of the top cocaine distribution Mafia Queens in America? It wasn’t because of the drugs. By the time Tonesa Welch was running her criminal empire—distributing thousands of kilos from Mexican cartels for tens of millions of dollars a month nationally—she had conquered her addiction to cocaine and replaced it with a new one: shopping.
While her customers got high from blow, Tonesa blew her fortune on designer clothes, fancy champagne, and shopping sprees on Rodeo Drive. It was more than a passion. It was an all-consuming obsession that would ultimately land her in prison—and force her to rebuild her life from the ground up.
This is Tonesa’s story. A rare insider’s account of the infamous Black Mafia Family—told by a woman who rose up the ranks, fell to the bottom, and picked herself up again—it is, above all, the story of a survivor. Like many women, Tonesa struggled with her insecurities, trying to find validation through five-figure outfits, six-figure cars, and seven-figure homes. But after her mansion was raided by the feds, she swapped her Gucci dresses for a prison smock—and faced the greatest challenge of her life: finding herself.
In the end, Mafia Queen reveals not only the full story behind BET’s The First Lady of BMF, but the inspiring journey of one woman’s heart.
Detroit Book City is excited to be the 'Official Bookseller' at this event with limited copies available. Your Pre-order guarantees a signed copy & ticket to enter the reserved section on event day! Deadline to order: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
🎟️ This event is FREE but space is limited! Must Pre-order book to enter the reserved area.
💻 Can’t make it in person? You can still order her book from Detroit Book City's online store: https://bookshop.org/a/11571/9781496752765
Hope to see you there!!
