Did you know?

Nearly a billion people in the world cannot read and write. Fifteen percent of the people in western countries (approximately 44 million Americans ages 16 and older) are functionally illiterate. These people are very likely doomed to lives of poverty.

Facts about literacy

What can you do?

In 2003, the state of Minnesota reported 12,000 participants in the African American Read-In. This year, we want all schools, community organizations, churches, and work sites to report participation. Let’s continue expanding participation into all subject areas!

You are invited to host a read-in. Download host materials for the 2007 African American Read-In. After hosting a Read-In, simply complete a host report card. It is that simple.

African American Read In Day Proclamations

• 1997 Minneapolis Day
• 2003 Saint Paul
• 2003 Wilmington, DE

2007 Co-sponsors

• Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning
• U of MN African American Men Project & Black Men Reading
• Barnes and Noble at the Mall of America
• Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English
• Cub Foods, W. Broadway
• Minneapolis Foundation

Black Men Reading

Black Men Reading is a book club/study group modeled on the groups formed in Harlem during the 1920's and 30's. These study groups/book clubs gave birth to some of our greatest intellectuals, among them Dr. John Henrik Clarke and J. A. Rodgers. Black Men Reading seeks to create role models of Black Men as readers. Members of the book club as act as mentors/coaches for the Griot Chess Club. The book club is free and the entire community is invited to attend.

• Black Men Reading poster [PDF]
• Black Men Reading article [PDF]

Book Drive

• January 2007 book drive with Barnes and Noble raised 501 books.
• University of Minnesota Foundation donates 1,381 books [PDF]
• Thermo King donates 2,000 books [PDF]
• Fall 2006 Book drive collects 350 books. Special thanks to Barnes and Noble at the Mall of America and Sweet Tea Press.

2008

• During half-time of Sunday's game versus Toronto, the Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation presented a $10,000 grant to the College in support of the African American Read-In.
• The African American Read-In will co-sponsor (along with PSTL’s Commanding English Program, and other campus programs), Loung Ung, on March 4-5, 2008. Ung, author of First They Killed My Father and Lucky Child, escaped Cambodia in the late 1970s, and now serves as a national spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World. Her books draw on her experiences as a survivor of the Cambodian genocide.

2007

• Join the Givens Foundation for African American Literature with the Hennepin County Library Foundation and African American Read-In for: A Night of Spoken Word [PDF] Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6-8 p.m. Ezra Hyland, and Ibe Kaba will share his compositions. All adults and teens welcomed.
• Join Ezra Hyland every Thrusday 6 - 7 p.m. on KMOJ radio 89.9 for "Voices of the African American Community" - a weekly talk show designed to address problems facing the African American Community and offer solutions.
• African American Read-In cosponsors the 4th Annual "College Explosion" Wed. Oct. 17 - 9 a.m. - Noon at MCTC. This free event will give area high school students the opportunity to meet and network with college students, and representatives from local colleges and universities. Featured speaker is Dr. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.
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• Join the African American Men Project and African American Read-In for: An Evening with Kevin Powell Wed., Sept. 12, 2007 6 - 8 p.m. NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center 1313 Penn Avenue North Minneapolis
• South African leader speaks: Dr. Neville Alexander sought to dismantle apartheid and has worked for equality.
• Vikings defensive end helps promote literacy locally, Minnesota Daily
• Minnesota Vikings flex celebrity in support of U of M African American Read-In

Read-In news

• U of M African American Read-in program receives $50,000 gift from author James Patterson
• Vikings: It's ok to follow my path, Insight News
• Vikings: Erasmus James Read-In book drive, UMNnews
• African-American literature focus of Read-In, Minnesota Daily
• Award-winning playwright Ntozake Shange, Minnesota Daily
• Program underscores the importance of literacy, Minnesota Daily

African American Read-In receives $10K
The Foundation's grant will be used
to purchase books and other curriculum
materials to support African American
Read-Ins around the state.

Alan Page, NFL Hall of Fame inductee
turned Minnesota Supreme Court
justice, addresses 200 students and
staff at the Nelly Stone Johnson School.

Erasmus James
photo: University of Minnesota News Service

photo: Brenda Jenkins