JUST ADDED: Book Release by noted author, D. Amari Jackson, Pens coming-of-age book targeted to middle school boys. Chooses Clayton County, GA for the announcement.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Ribbon-Cutting of the Family Literacy of Georgia’s 11th Read in Color Little Free Library® custom-designed book-sharing station to be unveiled on International Literacy Day.
When: Friday, September 8, 2023
11:00 A.M. (EST)
Where: Eggs-Up Grill Restaurant
1990 Mt. Zion Road
Morrow, GA 30260
Who: Family Literacy of Georgia, Inc., Eggs-Up Grill, Home Depot, LTI , Annika Jones, and other special guests will be in attendance.
Why:
To celebrate International Literacy Day founded by UNESCO for the purpose of building awareness of literacy in communities across the world. Family Literacy of Georgia, Inc. will recognize the importance of literacy and corporate stewardship with the installation of their 11th Little Free ‘Read in Color” Library at the Eggs-Up Grill in Morrow, GA. Read in Color Little Free Libraries are unique because they are intentionally placed in book deserts with a supply of free diverse books which amplify BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and the voices of other marginalized communities.
Suggested Highlights:
● Family Literacy of Georgia through its free book-sharing program, Read in Color, seeks to help communities close the literacy gap by offering families free diverse new books.
○ Representation in Children’s Literature
■ According to the Clinton Foundation organizations from
nonprofits to large publishing companies are crucial in
getting diverse children’s books into children’s hands.
○ Access in Children’s Literature
■ Access to books is pivotal when it comes to a child’s reading
proficiency.
■ Factors outside of school such as the availability of books and the
opportunity to self-select books contribute to reading success.
■ Evidence-based data allow us to predict that children with 100 or
more books at home (not including textbooks) have the best
chance of reading at or above grade level regardless of the
educational attainment of their parents or the economic disposition
of their family.
■ Public Libraries are great but they come with barriers:
transportation, patrons must have identification to check our books,
children may need someone to take them to the library, working
parents not available, older siblings may be required to take care of
siblings; language barriers.
■ Partnering with corporations that understand the problem and share
the mission are important to the community’s growth and economic
development.
■ According to the Department of Education, the more students read
or are read to for fun on their own time and at home, the higher
their reading scores, generally. However, in the United States,
more than 60% of low-income families have no children’s
books in their home.
○ Secondary Source:
https://www.unitebooks.com/book-deserts/100-tips-the-scale (Accessed:
08/25/2023)
○ Primary Source:
https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/sq_students_views_2015/
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(Accessed: 08/25/2023)
Contact: Shavawn P. Simmons
Executive Director/Founder
Family Literacy of Georgia, Inc.
shavawn@familyliteracyga.org
(770) 376-0943
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About:
Family Literacy of Georgia, Inc.
www.familyliteracyga.org
Family Literacy of Georgia, a 501 c-3 nonprofit Georgia organization based in Morrow, Georgia was founded in 2016 by a retired Clayton County Public School high school English teacher. The agency seeks to increase access to quality books and literacy resources in communities of color. In 2021 Family Literacy of Georgia was selected by Little Free Library® to partner in the initial roll-out of Read in Color, , an initiative launched following George Floyd’s murder, to promote literacy in communities of color by intentionally placing Little Free Library book-sharing stations in diverse neighborhoods.
Media:
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/community/voices-for-equality/read-in-color-atlanta/85-b2 26440a-a4c6-44f3-bbc9-778d2fc1c157
D. Amari Jackson, Author
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Photo provided by author, D. Amari Jackson.
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Little Free Library
www.littlefreelibrary.com
Little Free Library® (LFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries. LFL received the 2020 World Literacy Award and has been recognized by the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation and others for its dedication to increasing book access for all. There are more than 100,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes worldwide in all 50 states, 110 countries and 7 continents; through them, more than 200 million books have been shared. To learn more, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org.
EggsUp Grill
Eggs-Up Grill Owners, Morrow, GA
Family Literacy of Georgia’s 1st Corporate installation of a Read in Color Little Free Library. The first establishment to agree to provide this opportunity to build literacy in the community. They are economic development heroes. Source: EggsUp Grill website
5 Family Literacy of Georgia’s Founder, Shavawn Simmons, in the community.
6 Family Literacy of Georgia’s Chairwoman, Pat Sebo-Hand (Far right) Ricky L. Clark, Jr. City Manager, Forest Park, GA (Center), Shavawn Simmons, Executive Director/Founder (Far Left)
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Read in Color Little Free Library and local community
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Read in Color Morrow, GA Installation
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Read in Color Jonesboro, GA Installation
Additional photos will be available after the Eggs-Up Ribbon-Cutting.
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