President Biden Nominates Judge Carlton Reeves As First Black Chair Of U.S. Sentencing Commission
A Mississippi federal judge could soon become the first Black chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission after PresidentJoe Biden announced a group of nominees.
The Mississippi Free Pressreports Biden nominated U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves of the Southern District of Mississippi to lead the bipartisan agency, which Congress created in 1984.
“The Commission was created to reduce sentencing disparities and promote transparency and proportionality in criminal sentencing,” Biden said in a statement yesterday. “The Commission has lacked a quorum since 2019, which has prevented it from doing critical business.
“Today, President Biden is pleased to announce the nominations of these individuals—a bipartisan slate including the first Black chair of the organization—whose confirmations would allow the Commission to conduct its important work.”
If Reeves is confirmed, he would be the eighth chair while continuing to serve as a federal judge in Jackson. Reeves was appointed to the Southern District of Mississippi in 2010 by former PresidentBarack Obama.
Throughout his career, Reeves has made several headlines that Republicans are sure to make waves about.
In a 2020 opinion, the judge criticized qualified immunity calling it a “legal doctrine” that “judges have invented to protect law enforcement officers from having to face the consequences for wrongdoing.”
In 2011, Reeves delivered a speech that made national headlines while sentencing three white men for the brutal murder of James Craig Anderson.
“Hate comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and from this case, we know it comes in different sexes and ages. A toxic mix of alcohol, foolishness, and unadulterated hatred caused these young people to resurrect the nightmarish specter of lynchings and lynch mobs from the Mississippi we long to forget,” Judge Reeves told the courtroom.
In 2014, Reeves struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage a year before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state bans nationwide, and in 2018 he found Mississippi’s six-week abortion ban unconstitutional under the existing Roe v. Wade precedent, noting its authors likely passed it to trigger a U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the 1973 ruling.
U.S. Sentencing Commission acting Chair Charles Breyer welcomed Reeves’ nomination in a statement.
“Since the Commission lost its quorum in 2019, it has been unable to provide guidance on the First Step Act, as well as a host of other pertinent sentencing policy challenges,” Breyer said. “As a result, courts have been left without uniform national sentencing standards relating to important sentencing decisions, particularly as it relates to compassionate release amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
West Indian Dominoes Player Speaks Out Against Discriminatory Noise Ban in London Square
A group of primarily Black pensioners who enjoy their free time by playing dominoes in London Square are speaking out against a new noise ban they feel discriminates against them.
The Guardian reports that Ernest Theophile, 73, is among the group of retirees who take to the square about seven days a week to gather and socialize over games of dominoes and cards.
But last year, Theophile was summoned to court by the Westminster Council and was accused of being too loud and causing a disturbance.
As a result, the council implemented a special injunction that banned social gatherings. While the injunction was eventually overturned, a court order was put in place that could land Theophile and his friends in jail if accused of “playing loud amplified music, drinking alcohol and shouting and swearing.”
But Theophile says no drinking and swearing occurs when he and his friends gather at Maida Hill market.
“The loneliness was one of the biggest factors as to why we gathered there. That’s why the square was ideal for us,” Theophile said.
“Sometimes the younger generation come here and congregate, but we just want a place where we can socialize and play a few games to pass the time.”
Tony Edwards, who is in his 60s, shares Theophile’s sentiments and says the domino players don’t create violent environments.
“I’m here all the time, seven days a week,” Edwards said. “All we do here is play a little cards, a little dominoes. That’s all we do; we don’t trouble anybody. We’re peaceful; we’re a family.”
The complaints are centered around the game of dominos, which is considered a joyous pastime in Caribbean cultures. Now, Theophile has lawyered up to combat the order he and his legal team say is representative of racial “discrimination,” Metro reports.
Lawyer Tim James-Matthews says the order “is likely to be indirectly discriminatory.”
“Although apparently “neutral” in application, the majority of those whose behavior is constrained by force of the injunction, share a protected characteristic: race,’ James-Matthews sain in Central London county court.
He asked if the council considered whether their ban was “advancing equality” under their public law while requesting an injunction.
“An injunction restraining the activities of a minority of black people in a public square where there is a theoretical power of arrest and sanction of imprisonment is indirectly discriminatory,” James-Matthews added.
Meanwhile, Westminster Council claims to have offered a free space for dominoes to continue, something Theophile and other locals say they are unaware of.
Techie Homes Brings Micro Homes to the Urban Audience
Booker T. Washington, founder, and chief executive officer of South Park Cottages located in College Park, Georgia, is the visionary behind the first African American developed micro-home community in the U.S.
Starting his minority real estate development career in 2017, Booker has developed, fixed, and flipped, single-family new constructions and multi-unit developments within the Greater Atlanta area. His success grew into the founding of Techie Homes Inc.
Techie Homes‘s vision is to develop obtainable real estate at a value to all home buyers through innovation, technology, community, and purpose.
BLACK ENTERPRISE had the opportunity to discuss the micro home market, its impact on African Americans, and advice for real estate entrepreneurs.
How did you get your start in the tiny home development space?
Over five years ago, I began my career as a real estate investor. While working on strategies to increase the value of homes, I started building accessory dwelling units in the backyard. Being under 1,000 sq. ft., they were considered micro/tiny homes. As I continued to build micro homes for clients and other investors, I developed plans for a community concept to require local city zoning ordinances. My background working with a sustainable energy company provided solutions for sustainable and energy-efficient innovations in the homes.
What is the market outlook?
In Atlanta and other major urban cities, average home prices have soared more than 15% annually over the last couple of years. Within the micro home market, sales of homes under 1,000 sq. ft. have increased by over 60% since 2017. Of those micro home sales, over 35% own the home outright. The micro-home market provides a product for homeownership that has long been an issue for African Americans. In recent years, Black Americans have seen a decline in overall net worth and homeownership, although homeownership has declined overall in Atlanta from its high in 2000 to 2010 of 75%. The pandemic has highlighted the necessity of space, cost, and abundant living in unconventional forms. Techie Homes provides a product that can be affordable in urban markets in the high 100s to mid 200s price point.
How do you see tiny homes’ impact on African Americans’ homeownership?
Micro Homes will impact African Americans due to the surge in higher prices in urban markets where most African Americans of lower incomes reside. Currently, African Americans dwell in rental apartments and smaller spaces at a higher rate. As of late 2021, while white Americans and Hispanics have seen an increase in overall homeownership (white Americans up to 74% from 72%), African Americans have seen a decline to where only 43% of African Americans own homes. That’s lower than the Hispanic homeownership rate of 50%. Micro Homes in this market allow for reverse gentrification in the urban market due to the cost of build and overall price point for prospective buyers.
Where do you see tiny home development in the five years?
Micro Homes sales have steadily increased each year since 2017. However, Techie Homes focuses on bringing Micro Homes closer to urban markets, which is different. Tiny Homes have been in more western, rural, or Midwestern markets. However, micro homes will be in demand as inflation grows, incomes slow, and job competitiveness increases as more generations of college graduates collide with older generations still in the workforce.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs and real estate investors?
My advice to entrepreneurs and real estate investors would be to leverage collaboration to bring value to the market instead of the sole focus being on margins. The strategic focus for real estate investors to incorporate “Build to Rent,” multifamily rental density and other forms of non-homeownership, eventually cripples the market of eligible homebuyers. There is a direct impact on African Americans, given we are the largest demographic per capita that rents housing, but we densely populate urban centers. It’s a self-preservation strategy depleting the strength of African Americans in homeownership to reverse the trend.
Men’s Shop Named After Longtime Democratic Lawmaker Receives $330,000 In COVID Funds
Men in Franklin County will get a chance to receive some new threads thanks to a large clothing donation from the late husband of U.S. Rep.Joyce Beatty.
Otto Beatty Jr. was a longtime Democratic lawmaker and community activist in Ohio who died last year.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that after Beatty’s passing, County Commissioner Kevin Boyce reached out to the organization Impact Community Action to honor his mentor. Beatty’s family agreed to donate his extensive suit collection, including shirts, ties, and shoes.
“This pandemic has been devastating, particularly to communities of color, and we want to help with that recovery effort by getting people back to work,” Impact CEO Robert “Bo” Chilton told The Columbus Dispatch.
“Now we’re able to take this to another level by bringing that service in-house at Impact, where not only will people be able to receive an outfit that will make them feel good, make them feel powerful, but they’ll also receive the supportive services to remove employment barriers, so they can get back to work and earn a living wage.”
“Otto wholeheartedly believed that dressing in professional attire can change how a person feels about themselves and how they are perceived by others, and this is the vision that our family wishes to bring to the Otto Beatty Jr. Men’s Shop.” Congresswoman Joyce Beatty told ABC6.
The County’s COVID relief funds will be used for an expansion of the men’s shop at Impact and its operations for one year, according to Jenny Snapp, chief operating officer of the Franklin County Economic Development and Planning.
Black-Owned Tech Firm Receives Patent For Wristband and Smart Watch Used For Non-Invasive Detection of Glucose and Pathogens
Better Life Technologies Group, Inc., a Black-owned biotech firm based in San Diego, Calif., has been granted a patent for technology that will be used for the non-invasive detection of glucose and pathogens including COVID-19 and any variant.
Their newest issued patent is US 10,959,651 B1. Accordingly, they may have applications for non-invasive cancer detection. This will be achieved by a wearable wristband or a smartwatch that integrates our revolutionary technology.
George McKinney, the founder and chief executive officer of the company, comments, “The application for this technology is endless. Better Life is now ready to manufacture, sell or partner with an IP firm to positively impact the healthcare system throughout the world. So we are pivoting to allow outside IP firms to participate in this revolutionary technology.”
He continues, “The goal of this transition is to develop the market-ready version of our technology which we believe could seriously curb the infectiousness of COVID. This version will be fully miniaturized and contain all the necessary wireless communication capabilities.”
Better Life Technologies Group, Inc. plans to obtain FDA approval and all the market certifications, as well as marketing a version of their technology that does not require FDA approval. This will be a licensable product that we can effectively market and mass produce.
McKinney continues, “For this phase, it’s imperative that we are partnered with an entity that can not only fund development monetarily but also assists with development technically.”
This stage will be the catalyst for the creation of several additional patents as well. This step is monumental in its own right and is broken down into three steps. Miniaturization, validation and going to market which we will do in partnership with ready, willing and able IP development firms that can move this process forward.
Finally, to sum it up, their device will detect the specific signature of any chemical composition in the human body ie., cancer, magnesium, calcium, hormonal levels, through our newly developed proprietary method of detecting gases as they are emitted from the epidermal layer of the skin in so doing we are able to measure its exact levels in of the blood from there, and there is no limit on what can be read and diagnosed.
Alone at the Top: How Black Women Can Survive and Thrive in Leadership
You made it, sis!
You set your sights on a lofty career goal and worked your butt off to get here. You put in crazy long hours, no doubt made countless sacrifices to your work-life balance — occasionally at the expense of your social life — and even fought against your own imposter syndrome as you (very likely) competed against under-qualified and overconfident peers.
Along the way, you’ve built up confidence in yourself and your organization has shown you in the highest possible way that they have confidence in you, too. And now, here you are sitting at the top of your profession with those very impressive letters in front of (or after) your newly minted title. And as you look around, you realize there’s one small catch. You’re all alone and on your own.
Across industries, there is a dearth of Black women in the corporate ranks, and Black women, in particular, are one of the least supported demographics in the workforce — making up just four percent of C-suite executives, according to a recent report from McKinsey. As someone who was promoted within the past year and received tremendous support along the way, I know my experience is unique. So if you’re not getting the support you need, here are some ways you and your company can make it happen.
Advocate for yourself
Asking for what you need at this juncture isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strength to be brave enough to ask for what you need. So be bold; tell your leaders what you need to be successful in your role and how your success equates to the organization’s success. When your success is the objective, nothing is off the table. For instance, is there additional education or a professional coaching program that will help you be more successful in your role? Ask for a stipend for educational assistance or a budget to engage with a professional coach. Do you need additional team members to help meet your organizational goals this year? Make the case and ask for the headcount.
If all of your requests are rooted in your growth and success and are tied to the organization’s overall success, your requests should be met with a resounding “Yes!.” Companies should proactively inquire as they hire and promote Black leaders as to what they need to be successful in their roles. The term “lean in” couldn’t be more appropriate here. Black women leaders need their companies to lean into their professional needs and personal needs. Women of color rarely assume the social and psychological safety to open up and share information about themselves at work. At my agency, I have been very fortunate to experience my leaders “leaning-in” tenfold. Working within company cultures where being your true self is ingrained in the company culture is key. Leaders who lean into knowing you personally allow you to be your whole self at work and feel safe asking for what you need, advocating for yourself and feeling like a valued member of the organization.
Build your board
Let’s talk about building your circle of influence. This refers to the relationships we make and build upon to propel our career forward and make valuable connections in our organizations that help us stay one step ahead. For example, connecting for coffee chats with leaders outside of your immediate workgroup or department helps to build connections and expand your circle of influence so that when you need resources or advice on a project, you have someone that you know, and who knows you, to provide you the assistance you need. Greater than a circle of influence, a board consists of peers, sponsors, leaders, internal and external colleagues and friends that can give advice, help you make connections and can assist with your overall growth and goals.
Who should be on your board? First, find a sponsor. More than a mentor, this is someone who sits in rooms of power and speaks your name loudly for opportunities, cheers you on and offers the sage advice to help you make the calculated moves that will inform your career. A sponsor typically sits within your organization and maybe more senior or a peer that may be more tenured. Whomever they are, and wherever they sit, your sponsor is on your side guiding you through what can feel like an abyss in your new role or new organization.
In building my own board over the years, it has consisted of several key allies and groups. One group consists of strong women leaders at my company who are mothers like me and understand my life experience. Another is a group of peers with over 20 years of experience in the industry who know all the ins and outs of the intricate personal and professional relationships that make this business go. And finally, other Black women leaders who not only have the shared experience of looking like me and facing similar career struggles but have also been invaluable sounding boards and advocates as I’ve climbed the corporate ladder alongside them. Companies can help diverse talent at all levels with this charge as well by creating well-structured mentoring or sponsorship programs. And be proactive about this step. Don’t wait until someone is struggling to try to pair them with someone internally (or externally) to help them navigate complicated corporate structures or come back from a series of damaging professional blunders.
Get your cheering squad in formation
Being alone at the top as a Black woman can feel isolating and it’s easy to feel anxious about your impact if your contributions aren’t being recognized. This can lead to self-doubt, anxiety and those feelings of imposter syndrome settling back in. To combat this, continue to remind yourself that you are worthy of this and all the opportunities that have come your way. You made it here for a reason, so if you need a cheering squad to help you — look to your circle of influence to remind you that you are that girl. And while your cheering squad is cheering for you and you’re cheering for yourself, remind your leadership why they should be rooting for you, too. Leaders can often be removed from the day-to-day challenges we face, the problems we solve and the projects we lead. Update them often and share your wins. Your cheering section will only grow louder and your confidence will triple so you can continue to face any challenges head-on with support.
Take care of yourself
Setting boundaries so those long days and nights don’t affect your personal/professional balance is crucial for your mental health. You are not a machine and although you have likely been taught that you have to “work twice as hard,” you can’t work at all if you are in an environment that is unsupportive or unhealthy. Companies should look for signs of disengagement amongst diverse leaders in their organization and conduct check-ins often. Stay interviews, 90-day check-ins, or monthly development conversations are great ways to build that communication two-way street. Feedback, listening and personal connections help stop disengagement or at least understand when it might be happening.
Ultimately, if the view from the top is too isolating and not supportive of your growth, it may not be the view for you. Do what you must to secure the bag and thrive, but don’t stay seated at a table where nothing good is being served. Ascending to the top of any organization comes with great rewards and sometimes greater struggles. As a Black woman, those struggles can seem poised to take you out — but they don’t have to. Organizations have some work to do to continue to support Black women leaders in their organizations, and this can be done in partnership without laying the burden of work squarely on the leader already trying to navigate from a challenging spot. But remember, sis — engaging in self-advocacy, building supportive connections that keep you grounded, and taking care of yourself are all tactics you can employ to not just survive, but to thrive at the top.
You can do it, sis! We are all cheering for you.
Ashley Kincade is the SVP and Head of Culture atTrade School, an Atlanta-based ad agency and full-service production studio.
‘Your Future is Now’ Scholarship Program Returns Through Collaboration Between the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Amazon Music
The Recording Academy‘s Black Music Collective (BMC) and Amazon Music bring back their “Your Future Is Now” scholarship, aimed to provide select students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) the opportunity to learn and explore all facets of the music industry.
First launched in February 2021, the collaboration offers select students currently enrolled at a HBCU networking opportunities with esteemed members of the music industry, including an immersive rotation program with Amazon Music and Recording Academy department leads, providing each student a detailed look at their particular field of work within the music industry.
(Image: The Recording Academy®)
This year, the BMC will select four students currently enrolled at a HBCU for the program and will each receive a scholarship of $10,000. To coincide with these scholarships, the BMC and Amazon Music will also award two HBCUs a $10,000 grant each for equipment for their music programs.
“Our commitment to show up for the next generation of Black talent and create pathways for them to succeed continues with the return of the “Your Future Is Now” scholarship,” said Rico Love, vice chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees and BMC Chair.
“We’re thrilled to bring back this program with Amazon Music that creates invaluable mentorship opportunities for students as they begin their careers in the music industry.” The scholarship application goes live on Thursday, May 12. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music, music business, business administration, marketing, communications or a related field. All applicants must submit a current and complete grades transcript, a personal statement, a creative video showing your creativity, and one online recommendation. The deadline to apply for the scholarship program is Friday, June 10. To apply for the scholarship, visit here.
“We are honored to continue collaborating with the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective,” said Ryan Redington, vice president of music industry at Amazon Music.
“Through the “Your Future Is Now” scholarship, together we can help support the next generation of Black musicians at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, from equipment and funds to a firsthand view at a variety of roles within the industry.”
For more information on the Black Music Collective and the “Your Future Is Now” scholarship, visit here.
No I.D. and Rhymefest Join Golden State Warriors Record Label As Creative Advisors
The Golden State Warriors is expanding its brand outside of the NBA to include an official record label, and it’s bringing some hip-hop heavyweights along for the ride.
On Tuesday, Golden State Entertainment unveiled its roster of recording artists and partners gearing up to help the new label take the music industry by storm, the NBAreports.
As part of the new rollout, GSE tapped Grammy Award-winning producer and industry executive Dion “No I.D.” Wilson to serve as the creative and strategic advisor, NBA reports.
In addition to being the official producer for GSE artists, No I.D. will help with the labels’ digital strategies and vision development. His past positions include serving as executive vice president of A&R for Def Jam Recordings and executive vice president for Capitol Music Group.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Golden State Entertainment and its Chief Business Officer, my long-time friend, David Kelly, on this exciting new venture,” Wilson said.
“We are on the cusp of something truly special and I look forward to discovering new ways to bridge the worlds of content, sports, entertainment and technology.”
On the artist side, Chicago emcee Rhymefest and hip-hop artist J.U.I.C.E were signed to multi-album deals along with Grammy-nominated singer and producer Georgia Anne Muldrow.
Rhymefest boasts a reputable résumé with two Grammy Awards under his belt, one as the songwriter of Kanye West’s 2005 hit “Jesus Walks” and another as the co-songwriter with John Legend and Common for the 2016 song, “Glory.” Rhymefest’s work with Kanye appeared in the 2022 Netflix documentary about Kanye, “Jeen-Yuhs.”
J.U.I.C.E. is a fellow Chicago native who has a well-known history within the battle rap scene after beating Eminem in a 1997 freestyle battle. J.U.I.C.E. has released seven albums throughout his career and is set to release a collaborative album with All Natural produced by Georgia Anne Muldrow.
Muldrow is an LA native with soul, hip-hop, and jazz roots and has appeared on songs with Erykah Badu, Yasiin Bey (previously known as Mos Def), and Sa-Ra.
United Justice Coalition to Host Social Justice Summit Aimed at Combating Injustice, Unifying Communities
The United Justice Coalition (UJC) announced that it will host a first-of-its-kind, social justice summit at Center415 in New York City on July 23 that will convene the country’s leading activists, entertainers, attorneys, entrepreneurs, professors, experts, media personalities, organizations and more together to discuss combating social and racial injustice.
The UJC is a think-tank of experts from different industries that informally came together in 2019 to share resources, information, ideas and support in an attempt to align on strategic ways to address systemic injustice across America. Over the years, they have worked together behind-the-scenes to amplify critical issues, develop and advance bipartisan legislation, regulations and policies and leverage support for on-the-ground organizations across the country.
Now, they are joining forces to launch this inaugural summit to bring increased awareness and analysis to critical topics such as criminal justice reform, mental wellness, public safety, etc.
UJC’s founding advisory board members include Team ROC (the philanthropic division of Roc Nation), Charlamagne tha God, Attorney Ben Crump, Dream Corps Founder Van Jones, Until Freedom Co-Founder Tamika Mallory, Michael Eric Dyson, Marcia Dyson, Gayle King, Attorney Angela Rye, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners Robert F. Smith, Until Freedom Co-Founder Mysonne, The Ladies of Hope Ministries Founder and CEO Topeka K. Sam, Attorney S. Lee Merritt, NFL Players Association Assistant Executive Director of External Affairs George Atallah, Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, ABFE CEO Susan Taylor Batten, Fair Trials Global CEO Norman Reimer, NACDL Executive Director Lisa Wayne, NACDL Director of Law Enforcement Accountability Julie Ciccolini, Deputy Mayor for Equity, Health and Human Services at City of Baltimore Faith Leach, REFORM Alliance Chief of Staff and Gathering for Justice CEO Carmen Perez, REFORM Alliance Chief Advocacy Officer Jessica Jackson, Attorney Alex Spiro, Innocence Project Co-Founder Barry Scheck, Innocence Project Director of Policy Rebecca Brown, McKinsey and Company’s Executive Shelley Stewart III, Attorney Jordan Siev, LAVA Media CEO and Founding Board Member, Innocence Project Jason Flom, Attorney JoshuaDubin, Media Executive KC Fox, Attorney Cynthia Conti-Cook, Attorney Whitney Tymas, Attorney Jonathan S. Abady and Attorney Bradley Bridge.
The coalition is also made up of family members whose loved ones were tragically shot and killed by police officers, including Danroy Henry Sr. and Angella Henry (parents of DJ Henry and founders of DJ Henry Dream Fund), Michelle Kenney (mother of Antwon Rose II and founder of Antwon Rose II Foundation), Allisa Findley (sister of Botham Jean and president of Botham Jean Foundation) and Tiffany Crutcher (sister of Terence Crutcher and executive director of Terence Crutcher Foundation).
“The United Justice Coalition started as an informal meeting of the minds, but it has quickly evolved into a more purposeful initiative to create change in our communities,” Team ROC and UJC Founding Member Dania Diaz said.
“Our goal for this summit is to spark discussion and collaboration and take a solution-oriented approach to reforming America’s antiquated policies. At the end of the day, we are all bonded by one common goal — to eradicate injustice.”
In the coming weeks, the coalition will announce guest speakers and organizations that will participate in the panel discussions, networking opportunities and keynote sessions. The UJC event will also be open to the public.
HBCU Grad Turned Entrepreneur Launches Museum for Black Children, Global Celebration
Spelman alumna Veronica N. Chapman is a social entrepreneur and children’s book author on a mission to help make the world better for Black children. In an effort to achieve this goal, Veronica has launched Black Children’s Book Week (BCBW), a global celebration of Black children and the power of positive representation in children’s books and other media, and an accompanying Virtual Black Children’s Book Museum.
“Research shows that when Black children see themselves represented positively in their media, it fortifies their self-esteem and helps protect them from the impact of racism,” says Veronica.
“In an ideal world, Black children would get to grow up fully experiencing the joys and protections of childhood and not be dehumanized simply for having melanin-rich skin. Instead, they are often affected by and fully aware of the devastating impacts of racism, which can replace their natural childhood curiosity and zest with anxiety and fear. Black Children’s Book Week is an invitation for everyone to be intentional about making sure Black children feel our love.”
Administered by Black Baby Books, a platform founded by Chapman to make it easier to discover children’s books with Black characters, many responded to her call to action to help “raise the vibration in the world” for Black children. Authors, educators, community advocates and others organized events during the week to accomplish this goal. Celebrants included people throughout the United States as well as the United Kingdom, Nigeria, St. Lucia and Venezuela to name a few.
If you missed this year’s celebration, don’t worry, because parents, educators and all advocates for Black children are invited to celebrate Black Children’s Book Week for years to come. The Week will always serve as an extension of Black History Month, beginning on the last Sunday in February.
