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So cool to meet award-winning author and illustrator C.G. Esperanza at ALA 2022! He shows how he illustrated himself into the amazing story 'Soul Food Sunday' authored by Winsome Bingham @armyvetfive His vivid, radiant graffiti-style illustrations are so engaging and reflective of Black and Latin culture. His work demonstrates a powerful, inclusive visual way to invite young readers to our stories. Check him out!
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We Are Here Lit! attended an inspiring session by two Black male authors changing the narrative of young Black boys and the Black male identity.
Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond, college friends, and fathers of Black sons discussed the August release of the upcoming book Black Boy, Black Boy. Vibrantly illustrated by Ken Daley, the hope of this book according to the authors is to widen the perspective of young readers by introducing them to Black males from the Diaspora beyond the athletes and MCs. The author's hopes were that young Blacks males see their possibilities as endless and beyond the narrow perspectives and options expected or given to them. We wish Kimanda and Redmond much success with their new release and hope as authors they share more stories for kids from the Black male perspective. Join us this Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana and let's talk about 'Leveraging MC Dreams Towards Literacy'.
Black culture encapsulates a colorful oral tradition that can be seen in the West African tradition of the Griot, the Black Arts Movement, to today's Hip Hop Generation, as recently seen in Kendrick's Mr. Morale & the Big Stepper. We have continually seen the 'Us vs. Them' Hip Hop history debates. How can we better create The Bridge to work collectively to create intergenerational ties to Black oral and written stories and literary traditions to build strong young black male communicators of The Message? Bring your thoughts, opinions, pedagogy, scholarship, and questions as we discuss our music and literary history to build our young Black Brotha's voices. Monday, June 27th, 7-8pm EST on the We Are Here Lit! Facebook & YouTube Live pages. Please share with those who might be interested. I got to see Trombone Shorty last night in Boston. It was an AMAZING show. So many talented musicians, vocalists, and lively music, including Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, himself. His story is one of his brother's mentorship, perseverance, the love of music, and leadership. It reminded me of the two picture books about how he became such a talented musician. His books, beautifully illustrated, tell his inspirational story. Check them out at your local library or buy them at your local/online Black bookstore. If you like our content, please Follow Us for updates and share our site with those who might be interested. We Are Here Lit! interviews Award-Winning Author Carole Boston Weatherford in honor of Women's History Month! We will celebrate her space in children's literature as an author who has given voice to Black historical people and places for all to learn. We also learn about her influence on her son Jeffery who is a Poet, MC, and Illustrator. Dr. Guy Sims, Philly native, co-creator of the critically acclaimed Brotherman comics books takes time to share his story with us! He is a frequent collaborator with his brother, illustrator Dawud Anyabwile. He adapted Walter Dean Myers' book Monster into a graphic novel which Mr. Anyabwile illustrated.
Dr. Sims discusses, the role literacy played in his life, writing, the story behind Brotherman comics, retelling Monster for a new generation, and much more. We Are Here Lit! shares our interview with acclaimed Author, Historian, and Educator Ray Anthony Shepard. An insightful journey, Mr. Shepard will share his literacy story, his path as an Educator to a noted Author sharing the importance critical literacy plays in telling African-American historical narratives.
 "I wanted to show that an African-American artist could make it in this country on a national level in the graphic arts. I want to be a strong role model for my family and for other African-Americans" --Jerry Pinkney
You did that and more... Thank you, Mr. Pinkney. This day continues to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, especially Black individuals, to champion the idea that homophobia lives in silence.
It celebrates a liberated spirit. The following books share both fiction and non-fiction share narratives of what it feels like and the experiences, for some in the LGBTQ+ community. Music: @georgemofficial An Easier Affair |
AuthorSWE ARE HERE will provide you book reviews, discussions, news, and programming about literature and literacy by and about Black males. This site will also feature vlog conversations on topics related to the promoting literacy and voice for Black boys and young men. Archives
May 2023
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