Changing the Narrative

by Krenice Ramsey

E

very child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

I have loved books since I was a child. There is nothing like cracking open a new book and being transported to new places, learning new things and using your imagination to embark on new adventures. This love has stayed with me as an adult, and as soon as my niece was born I knew I wanted to share with her my love of reading. So each year on her birthday, in addition to a fun toy of course, I buy my niece new books to enjoy.

About two years ago, when I walked into a major bookstore to grab some last-minute books for my niece’s seventh birthday, I had a specific need. I asked the sales associate to help me find age-appropriate books featuring Black girls. After about 30 minutes in the store searching shelves full of books featuring children who looked nothing like my niece, I left empty-handed, frustrated and, as a lifelong book lover, saddened that there were likely few bookstores my niece could walk into and feel seen. There were so many questions swirling in my head: Where were the stories for and about her? Where could she not only see herself reflected but also hear her voice? What stories could she read and recognize the pieces of her family and her rich and complex culture?

Determined to make sure that children like my niece had easy access to children’s books featuring Black characters, I decided I would do the research to find some new books featuring Black girls and personally donate them to a recreation center located in the historically Black ward of my home town, Evanston, Illinois. I even created an Amazon Wishlist for my family and friends to purchase books to be included in the donation. I received such positive feedback that I thought I’d do another donation the following month of books featuring Black boys. When my now-husband, Derrick Ramsey, learned about my efforts he believed that my small donations could grow into something bigger. With my determination and Derrick’s vision, Young, Black & Lit was born.

Increasing Access and Ensuring Representation

Young, Black & Lit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to increase access to children’s books featuring Black characters. We do so by partnering with schools, organizations and businesses to provide free, new books to children in pre-K through eighth grade.

The research is clear that having books in the home is one of the clearest indicators of future academic success for children. A significant way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. However, up to 61 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes for their children, and children growing up in homes without books are on average three years behind children in homes with lots of books.¹ A study conducted over two decades found that simply having an at-home library increases a child’s academic success, vocabulary development and long-term cognitive competencies.² Studies like these demonstrate that exposure to books is an essential component of a child’s future success.

Young boy smiling while holding up books

Photos courtesy of Young, Black & Lit

…we understand it is not only important to have books in the home, but it is also critically important to have diverse books in the home.

What sets Young, Black & Lit apart from other book distribution and ownership programs is that we understand it is not only important to have books in the home, but it is also critically important to have diverse books in the home. Many education scholars agree that when books serve as mirrors, allowing children to see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected, children feel valued. When those same books serve as windows, allowing children to see the similarities and differences they have with other cultures, children feel connected.³ One of the most rewarding aspects of the work we do at Young, Black & Lit is hearing directly from the children who receive our books. At every book fair we hold, we can count on at least one child excitedly browsing our selection of books and exclaiming “Hey, that girl looks like me!” or “His hair is just like mine!” We understand these experiences to be moments of validation.

Unfortunately, a diversity study of children’s and young-adult books published in 2019 found that less than 13 percent of published children’s books featured a Black main character.⁴ Consequently, books representing the varied experiences of Black children are not easily found nor readily accessible for children, their families and educators. Further, studies have shown that adults view Black children as less innocent, more adult-like and more culpable for their actions than their white peers.⁵ Such viewpoints contribute to negative perceptions of Black children in the media, and undoubtedly impact these children’s self-image and outcomes in the world. Young, Black & Lit seeks to change that narrative by putting books that validate and amplify the experiences of Black children directly into the hands of local youth. When children see themselves positively reflected in the media they consume, they become more engaged, have increased self-esteem, and are empowered to reach better educational outcomes.

Lit Programs

Since May 2018, Young, Black & Lit has partnered each month with schools, teachers and organizations serving low-income youth to provide more than 10,000 new children’s books featuring Black characters to children.

Research shows that students who are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.

This year, Young, Black & Lit rolled out its biggest new program yet, the Lit Year, which is designed to ensure that every child in Cook County has at least 60 books in their at-home library by the end of third grade.

Research shows that students who are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.6 Through our Lit Year program, we have partnered with schools to provide every kindergarten student who qualifies for the free or reduced-price lunch program with one book per month for the entire school year plus an additional five books at the end of the school year to promote summer reading (a total of 15 books). Children will remain in the program through third grade, receiving 15 age-appropriate books per year.

I had no idea that when I made my first small donation of books just two years ago that it would grow to more than 10,000 books being distributed to children across the country.

In a world that too often undervalues the beauty and brilliance of Black children, Young, Black & Lit aims to change the narrative. We are an organization that is rooted in love: love of children, love of reading, and love of Black culture. Young, Black & Lit makes it easier for children to access quality books featuring Black characters by removing the cost and doing the research to find books that affirm the varied experiences of Black children, building at-home libraries, self-esteem, and lifelong readers one book at a time.

It is my passion to give families the tools they need to develop curious readers in the hope that those readers will grow into confident leaders who are able to show up as their full uncompromised selves in their communities and the world. Starting Young, Black & Lit and watching it grow has taught me how important it is to take the first step. I had no idea when I made my first small donation of books just two years ago that it would grow to more than 10,000 books being distributed to children across the country. This work has made me more resolute in my belief that it is the everyday small acts that can truly make a difference.

¹ Reading Literacy in the United States: Findings from the IEA Reading Literacy Study, 1996.

² https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0049089X18300607

³ “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Doors”.

⁴http://ccblogc.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-numbers-are-in-2019-ccbc-diversity.html

⁵https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-a0035663.pdf

⁵https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/pre-kindergarten-third-grade-literacy.aspx

Krenice Ramsey closeup in black and white

Krenice Ramsey is a civil rights attorney who graduated from Spelman College with a BA in Sociology and a law degree from New York University School of Law. Ramsey maintains strong ties to the community through her work with organizations like the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, where she serves as vice-chair of the board of directors. Ramsey founded the non-profit Young, Black & Lit with her husband in 2018.

youngblackandlit.org

email: info@youngblackandlit.org

Krenice Ramsey is a civil rights attorney who graduated from Spelman College with a BA in Sociology and a law degree from New York University School of Law. Ramsey maintains strong ties to the community through her work with organizations like the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, where she serves as vice-chair of the board of directors. Ramsey founded the non-profit Young, Black & Lit with her husband in 2018.

youngblackandlit.org

email: info@youngblackandlit.org

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