The PPG Foundation has teamed up with Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh (RIF) to provide 1,000 local students with an armload of books that celebrate diversity and encourage thoughtful family conversations.
The “Read Today, Change Tomorrow” initiative will distribute bags to local kindergarten to fourth-grade students, each containing five books featuring Black characters, and written or illustrated by Black authors and artists. The selection celebrates Black children, ground-breaking Black women and Black pioneers in space, and offers collections of inspirational stories.
Including titles such as “Mae Among the Stars,” based on the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space, and “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History,” featuring the inspiring stories of 40 trailblazing Black women, these are books that will resonate with readers of all ages to bring awareness of Black history throughout the year.
Florri Ladov, executive director of RIF, hopes families will use the books as a springboard for meaningful discussions.
“As we honor Black History Month, these compelling books are exceptionally significant in sharing the stories of Black leaders and promoting the importance of talking to children about race,” said Ladov.
According to RIF, nearly two-thirds of low-income families do not own any books for their children. RIF addresses this critical need by providing children with access to books, creating positive environments that motivate children to develop a life-long love of reading, and engaging families in literacy practices in the home.
The “Read Today, Change Tomorrow” initiative comes as part of the PPG Foundation’s recent announcement to invest $20 million by 2025 to address systemic racism and advance racial equity in the U.S. by funding educational pathways for Black communities and people of color. To learn more, click here.
