WE ARE HERE!: a Literary Space for ​Black Boys and Young Black Men

Knowledge Reigns Supreme

Join us this Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana and let's talk about 'Leveraging MC Dreams Towards Literacy'.

Black culture encapsulates a colorful oral tradition that can be seen in the West African tradition of the Griot, the Black Arts Movement, to today's Hip Hop Generation, as recently seen in Kendrick's Mr. Morale & the Big Stepper.

We have continually seen the 'Us vs. Them' Hip Hop history debates. How can we better create The Bridge to work collectively to create intergenerational ties to Black oral and written stories and literary traditions to build strong young black male communicators of The Message?

Bring your thoughts, opinions, pedagogy, scholarship, and questions as we discuss our music and literary history to build our young Black Brotha's voices.

Join us as we talk about his latest publication: Teaching Black Boys in the Elementary Grades: Advanced Disciplinary Reading and Writing to Secure Their Futures, growing up in Chicago,  his reading habits, the influence of public libraries, and much more!

The Burning House: Educating Black Boys in Modern America by Desmond Williams

Join us as we speak to Educator & Author Desmond Williams and discuss literacy, being an administrator, and deconstructing the educational system, and what it takes to get young Black males to succeed.

We will celebrate her space in children's literature as an author who has given voice to Black historical people and places for all to learn. We also learn about her influence on her son Jeffery who is a Poet, MC, and Illustrator.

Dr. Guy Sims, Philly native,  co-creator of the critically acclaimed Brotherman comics books takes time to share his story with us! He is a frequent collaborator with his brother, illustrator Dawud Anyabwile. He adapted Walter Dean Myers' book Monster into a graphic novel which Mr. Anyabwile illustrated.

Dr. Sims discusses, the role literacy played in his life, writing, the story behind Brotherman comics, retelling Monster for a new generation, and much more...

Publishers Cheryl and Wade Hudson, of Just Us Books,  will discuss their critically acclaimed new releases 'Recognize' and 'Defiant' and also talk about supporting Black publishers, authors, and bookstores this holiday season.

Join us as We Are Here Lit! invites guest interviewer Middle School Scholar-Athlete James to interview Track Olympian and Businessman Kenny Selmon about discovering track, being in the Olympics, balancing school and athletics, defining your identity beyond sports, and more.

Join us as we talk to Jonathan Beatty, author of the Newsweek opinion piece The Challenge of Defeating Illiteracy in America and Founder of I Love Books. We’ll discuss how we can end illiteracy through cross-sector collaboration, collective problem solving, and strategic resource allocation.

Hip Hop, Spirituality, Social Justice, Young Black Males & Literacy????

Yes, all in one conversation, you definitely must hear.

Rev. Dr. Michael Waters, the author of For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, will be the featured guest premiering on the We Are Here Lit.

His new book Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip is out October 12th.

An insightful narrative to understand the environment to embrace the culture of literacy.

Topics about literacy and Black males infrequently present the narratives from their voices and stance. Join us to hear the perspectives of Black male librarians as they discuss their narratives advocating as children’s librarians and community leadership.  The live discussion will also talk about their literacy narratives, the Black male identity in the #kidslit world and librarianship, perspectives on the state of literacy, especially for minoritized communities, and engaging children to read.

We Are Here: A Literacy Space for Black boys young Black men features an insightful and engaging interview with Community Literacy Advocates, Brothers with Books.

Kevin Isabelle-Peete and Isiah Cudjoe talk about their reading and literacy experiences, how they promote literacy through their organization and provide powerful testimony to responsiveness, reading role models, and access to books.

Aiden shares his inspiration for writing the book, his future plans as an author, and his thoughts for other young authors, among other topics.