On Friday, October 14, 2022, The Origin Project hosted students from Northern Virginia and Southwest Virginia at the Library of Virginia in Richmond for its first Student Literary Festival. In addition to co-founder Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author David Baldacci and award-winning author Jocelyn Nicole Johnson addressed students in writing workshops. Ron and Jill Carson of the Appalachian African American Cultural Center in Pennington Gap, Virginia offered students insight into growing up in divergent cultures. The Carsons urged students to record their family histories for generations to come before the stories disappear. Teachers and librarians also met in a writing workshop with Adriana Trigiani during the day.
The latter portion of the Festival featured an unveiling of The Origin Project Book Eight. The Latin Rhythms Dance Club from Unity Reed High School in Manassas, Virginia opened the program setting a celebratory tone. Senator Tim Kaine joined students, teachers, librarians and guests at the unveiling sharing a bit about his origin story and offering encouragement to students to investigate and write about their own. Students from several participating TOP schools read their selected writings. The program concluded with a recitation from TOP alumnus and board member, Ms. Zahra Wakilzada.