WHEREAS
,
The importance of book fairs cannot be understated and for seventeen years the African American Children's Book Fair has enhanced multi-culturalism in our City utilizing the joy of reading as a tool; and
WHEREAS
,
Vaness Lloyd Sgambati created the book fair because she believes books opens up a world of opportunities for children; and
WHEREAS
,
One of the most important reasons to encourage reading in our children is that studies show that the more our youth read the more likely they are to make positive lifestyle decisions as they grow older; and
WHEREAS
,
Strictly judging by attendance the fair is a tremendous success as well over 4,500 people attended the Fair in past years; and
WHEREAS
,
Rich or poor, no one leaves empty handed as the books themselves are priced at a level where they are more affordable and posters, bookmarkers, and raffle books are distributed free of charge to attendees; and
WHEREAS
,
One of the esteemed attendees will be Kerri Conner Matchett, CPA, a partner at Anita T. Conner and Associates P.C., Certified Public Accountants and Financial Services / The Tax Divas. She holds a B.B.A. in accounting from Howard University and has successfully completed all parts of the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter, and the National Association of Black Accountants, Philadelphia Chapter. Kerri is a Breast Cancer Survivor and recent author of
My Mommy Has Breast Cancer, But She Is Ok.
Her hopes are that this book will inspire women with breast cancer and other adults to have conversations with young children about the journey to recovery;
and
WHEREAS
,
The Fair is also lucky to host a terrific author, Floyd Cooper, who received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in Honor for his illustrations for
The Blacker the Berry
and won CSK honors for
Brown Honey In Broomwheat Tea
and
I Have Heard Of A Land
. He has illustrated numerous books, including
Ruth and the Green Book
by Calvin Ramsey. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Cooper received a degree in fine arts from the University of Oklahoma. In 1984, he came to New York City to pursue a career as an illustrator of books and now lives in Easton, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two sons; and
WHEREAS
,
The 19th Annual African American Book Fair will be held free of charge on Saturday, February 5th from one to three pm at the gymnasium of the Community College of Philadelphia located at 17th & Spring Garden Streets; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the African American Children's Book Project on the occasion of the 19th Annual African American Children's Book Fair.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the African American Children's Book Project, Kerri Conner Matchett and Floyd Cooper for their hard work and efforts in the promotion of children's literacy, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End