NORFOLK — Clever Communities in Action on Tuesday said they will donate hundreds of new, “culturally affirming” books to selected Title 1 elementary schools in Hampton Roads during its 8th annual Read to LEAD program.
Historic figures such as Sojourner Truth and Marcus Garvey as well fictional characters like Jaden Toussaint, the Sugar Plum Ballerinas and Black Panther graphic novels will be donated to these libraries, according to a news release.
CCIA will kick off its Read to LEAD program this year at Ingleside Elementary at 976 Ingleside Road in Norfolk on Thursday, April 12. The program will start at 9:30 a.m.
CCIA has invited leaders from the Norfolk City Council, Norfolk School Board and members of the general assembly to attend this years’ kick-off event.
In addition to the book delivery, there will be a reading pep rally in which students are engaged by guest readers from the community as they rotate between reading stations.
There will be music and tons of interactive, positive affirmations focusing on the importance of reading, positive representation, self-esteem and cultural awareness, according to the news release.
The acronym LEAD, in the program’s title, stands for Learning Everything About the Diaspora. Since its inception, CCIA has donated more than 2,000 books to 14 Title I elementary schools in Hampton Roads, according to the news release.
Last year, CCIA also donated books to a school in Flint, Michigan and plans are in place to repeat that effort this year.
