This post by Michelle Coles originally appeared on We Need Diverse Books in November 2021. Black Was the Ink is available wherever books are sold!
Black Was the Ink Connects Past and Present
Tag Archives: Race issues
Watch the Event: Celebrate the Launch of How We Can Live!
Thank you to all who joined us for our recent virtual launch celebration of How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter, featuring author Laleña Garcia and illustrator Caryn Davidson in conversation with Cicley Gay, Board Chair of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation!
If you missed it live (or just want to watch it again), you can access the webinar below, or here on YouTube. Keep reading for links to resources and booklists shared during the webinar and feel free to reach out for more information.
Upcoming Virtual Event: Celebrate the launch of HOW WE CAN LIVE!
Join author Laleña Garcia and illustrator Caryn Davidson in conversation with Cicley Gay, Board Chair of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 7:00 PM ET.
Continue readingWhen We Come Together, Our Voices are Stronger: A Guest Post by A. M. Dassu
This post by A. M. Dassu originally appeared on SLJ Teen Librarian Toolbox. Fight Back is available now wherever books are sold!
Continue readingTeaching Social Justice in Schools: Facing Institutional Opposition
What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Activity Book is a collaboration between Laleña Garcia and Caryn Davidson, both professional educators and activists with the Black Lives Matter at Schools NYC organizing group. Learn the story behind What We Believe here and how the author and illustrator define activism and allyship in the first two installments.
Today, in the third installment of our conversation, Laleña and Caryn share tips and suggestions for educators who face institutional opposition when bringing learning about BLM, social justice, and activism into their classrooms: Continue reading
Black History Month Resources Roundup
For Black History Month, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite resources for readers and educators alike. Though this month is dedicated to uplifting Black history, culture, movements, and gamechangers, we must remember that Black history IS American history and should be celebrated all year round.
Where Is the Diversity in Publishing? The 2019 Diversity Baseline Survey Results
The Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 2.0) was created by Lee & Low Books with co-authors Laura M. Jiménez, PhD, Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and Betsy Beckert, graduate student in the Language and Literacy Department of Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Lee & Low Books released the first Diversity Baseline Survey (DBS 1.0) in 2015. Before the DBS, people suspected publishing had a diversity problem, but without hard numbers, the extent of that problem was anyone’s guess. Our goal was to survey publishing houses and review journals regarding the racial, gender, sexual orientation, and ability makeup of their employees; establish concrete statistics about the diversity of the publishing workforce; and then build on this information by reissuing the survey every four years. Through these long-term efforts, we would be able to track what progress our industry shows over time in improving representation and inclusion. Continue reading
EmbraceRace and Lee & Low on Finding and Reading Great Stories with Kids
Earlier this week, Literacy Specialist Katie Potter joined EmbraceRace in conversation about how to find and share books that develop kids’ racial and social justice sensibilities and help them become the community members our increasingly multiracial democracy needs.
If you missed the webinar live (or just want to watch it again), you can watch the recording of the webinar here.
We’re offering 20% off and free shipping* for webinar registrants through December 11! Just visit the Lee & Low website and use the code EMBRACERACE at checkout.
Not sure where to begin? Start with these booklists featured in the webinar:
Books that inspire resilience in kids of color
Books that encourage kids of all colors to be inclusive and empathetic
Books that support kids to think critically about racial inequity
Books that animate kids (and adults!) to be racial justice advocates for all kids
For more about using books to engage kids in conversation about differences, click here for Katie’s tip sheet.
About EmbraceRace: EmbraceRace is a multiracial community of parents, teachers, experts, and other caring adults who support each other to meet the challenges that race poses to our children, families, and communities.
Have additional questions or comments? Please leave them below in the comments!
*Free shipping on US addresses only. Coupon code not valid on Bebop Books titles and full collections.
7 Children’s Books that Talk About Race
It can be difficult to talk to children about tough topics. From bullying and prejudice, to discrimination and racism, children’s books have helped to facilitate these difficult conversations in an accessible and meaningful way. Below we’ve compiled seven of our many books that will help children come away with a better understanding of these complex issues and the world around them.
Don’t forget to round out your collection with our list of 10 diverse picture books that are not about oppression!
Read Bryan Stevenson’s Foreword for I AM ALFONSO JONES
Today, we are proud to release I Am Alfonso Jones, a heartbreaking exploration of the Black Lives Matter movement and the impact that police brutality has on families, young people, and communities. Written by Tony Medina and illustrated by Stacey Robinson and John Jennings, this title offers a powerful entry to discussion as well as essential historical context to today’s discussions on police brutality. Below is the powerful foreword by Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy.