This is the inaugural year for Black Children’s Book Week, to be celebrated globally Feb. 27-March 5. The goal is to ensure Black children see themselves represented in literature. Veronica Chapman, founder of Black Baby Books, launched the initiative to celebrate Black children and the Black-authored books that represent them. Black Lives Matter SPI is leading this locally.
Harriet Tubman, portrayed by Kathryn Harris, will read books to children on Sunday, Feb. 27, 1-2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required at bit.ly/spibook. Registrants will be notified of the location. Each child in attendance will receive a bag with a book and school supplies. Black Lives Matter SPI will stream the event on Facebook Live.
Community members can help by purchasing a book on the wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/24FIE5GJ5V60N?ref_=wl_share or by sending a check to Black Lives Matter SPI, P.O. Box 20476, Springfield, IL 62708. Black Lives Matter SPI also has a free Little Library on the second floor of the Illinois State Museum outside the At Home in the Heartland exhibition. This is a public book exchange and promotes Black authors and literature not often represented in other little free libraries. Any books left from Black Children’s Book Week will be used to restock this Little Library.
Stay tuned for more news from Black Lives Matter SPI. Sunshine Clemons says they are preparing to announce a scholarship application process for high school seniors. Last year Black Lives Matter SPI provided three $750 scholarships and one $500 scholarship for students going on to community college, university or trade school. Scholarships are paid directly to the schools the students will attend. Donations make these scholarships possible.
For more information about Black Lives Matter Springfield, go to www.blmspi.org and follow them on Facebook at BlackLivesMatterSPI. Event information is at https://fb.me/e/38qSzYK8A.
This article appears in Abortion haven 2022.
