WHEREAS, The importance of book fairs cannot be understated and for twenty 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, Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati created the book fair because she believes books open up a world of opportunities for children and after 20 years is one of the oldest and largest single day events for children's literacy in the City of Philadelphia and throughout the region; 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 Sharon G. Flake, a graduate of Simon Gratz High School and the University of Pittsburgh, an award winning author with over 2 million copies in print including publications through Disney: Jump At the Sin, The Skin I'm In, Money Hungry, Begging for Change, Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives, Bang!, The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street, You Don't Even Know Me: Short Stories and Poems about Boys;
and
WHEREAS, The Fair is also lucky to host a terrific partner, PECO, through PECO's Energy in the Community Program and Mellanie K. Lassiter, Corporate Contributions Manager for PECO Energy Company in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Lassiter has been a tireless advocate for children's literacy and through her support PECO has been a longtime supporter of the EDUCATOR'S BOOK GIVEAWAY PROGRAM that provides free bestselling books to educators to use in their classroom libraries. She is a graduate of Bodine High School and Spelman College; and
WHEREAS, The 20th Annual African American Book Fair will be held free of charge on Saturday February 4th , 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 20th 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, Sharon G. Flake and Mellanie K. Lassiter for their hard work and efforts in the promotion of children's literacy, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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