Honoring the African American Children's Book Project on the Occasion of its 32nd Annual African American Children's Book Fair.

WHEREAS, With a reported double-digit illiteracy rate in Philadelphia - the need never ceases to draw attention to the urgency of giving children access to books that will empower, enrich, and enlighten them on their literary journey. If you can’t read, you can’t succeed. The African American Children’s Book Project understands that a literate population is a working, goal-oriented population thus benefiting all; and

WHEREAS The

African American Children's Book Project (AACBP), which was founded in 1992, was created to promote and preserve children’s literature written by and about Black Americans. To achieve these efforts The African American Children’s Book Project collaborates with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, educators, librarians, consumers, and corporate entities committed to promoting literacy. B

ooks can change lives - especially when young readers see their images in the reading materials; and

WHEREAS The African American Children’s Book Project understands that reading is a personal experience, and access and choice are one of the hallmarks of their programming.

Their stellar youth programs include book fairs; book signings; workshops; I Read To See Me program (author/illustrator virtual/in-school visits); educating consumers on trends/resources in youth literature; Guidance on establishing home libraries; and advocacy initiatives to promote Black American children's literature around the world; and

WHEREAS, The work of The African American Children’s Book Project is in response to numerous studies that show that children who read outside of their normal school coursework tend to excel in other aspects of their lives. The African American Children’s Book Project emphasizes in their programs for children pre-school to young adult, the importance of not only giving access, but also giving choice of what they read. Books that will nourish and encourage them to seek greater opportunities in life. The African American Children’s Book Fair is that destination to achieve this goal; and

WHEREAS, The African American Children's Book Fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for African-American children's books in the country, with an average yearly attendance of more than 3,500. It is a true book fair that brings national award-winning authors and illustrators for children pre-k to young adult to Philadelphia. These presenters are American Library and New York Times bestselling authors and illustrators. They are the stars of the book industry who have produced some of the best books of our generation; and

WHEREAS, Rich or poor, no one leaves empty handed, as the books themselves are priced at a level where they are more affordable. The legendary literary row gives away - free of charge - posters, book markers, postcards, and resource information on literary trends. Their educator’s book giveaway program allows teachers and librarians to receive free books of our guest presenters to use in the classroom or libraries; and

WHEREAS, Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati is the Founder and CEO of the African American Children’s Book Project. As a literary consultant, she is a much sought-after expert on trends in diverse books and how to incorporate these books into homes, schools, and libraries. She created the Book Fair because she believes that all children should have access to books that reflect their images. With the Book Fair now in its 32nd year, it is clear that Lloyd-Sgambati’s vision continues to resonate around the around the world. Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati’s effort has put Philadelphia on the literary map as an important destination for children’s books. The organization’s virtual events have attracted a global audience. The 2021 annual book fair attracted 3,000 viewers from Rome, Paris, London, Albania, Botswana, London and the four corners of these United States. Many wanted to come to Philadelphia to see the literary magic at work, live in person; and

WHEREAS, Each year to kick-off Black History Month, the African American Children's Book Project honors people in the community who open the pages of books and keep the literary flames ablaze, not only in Philadelphia, but also across the country; and

WHEREAS, This year’s Book Fair will highlight individuals who have made contributions to literacy either from the written word or as corporate partners; and

WHEREAS, Derrick Corbett is an award-winning Radio Executive who serves as the Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Philadelphia, in which he oversees 7 different radio brands which serve a variety of different audiences and cultures within the Delaware Valley area. DC, as he is commonly known, has earned his reputation as one of the most respected and innovative programmers in the country by working in multiple formats within the Urban genre and overseeing an anomaly of prestigious talent. Corbett has spent the last 20+ years of his 3-decade career programming some of the most influential Urban stations in America and for the last 12 years has been at the helm of nationally recognized powerhouses WDAS-FM and WUSL-FM (Power 99) in Philadelphia. He is an active member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy as well as being a BMI affiliated member. Corbett is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Mays Boyd has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She currently serves as a member of the Senior Management team as Director of Sales and Marketing with ASM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA). Mays Boyd provides leadership to a dynamic sales and services team by creating sound strategies that yields $7 million dollars of revenue to the Center yearly. She is an active leader, volunteer, philanthropist, fundraiser, and contributor to the community of Philadelphia. She places a high level of interest and contributions with non-profit and academic organizations that advocate the welfare and advancement of women, diversity and inclusion, children, youth and the arts; and

WHEREAS, Glenda Armand is the author of over a dozen books for children. Her books highlight the achievements of African Americans, both famous, such as Frederick Douglass (

Love Twelve Miles Long)

and little-known, like

Blind Tom Wiggins,

and Augustus Jackson, the subject of

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better.

Glenda was born in New Orleans and raised in Los Angeles which she wrote about in her book,

All Aboard the School Train: A Little Story From the Great Migration.

She has had a long career as a teacher of pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and as a middle and high school librarian. These roles have prepared her for her second act as an author of children’s books. Glenda feels that, through her writing, she is still teaching and instilling in children a lifelong love of reading - this is a dream come true; and

WHEREAS, Shawn Martinbrough is the author of

How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling

, published by Penguin Random House and an Eisner award nominated artist whose projects include

Batman: Detective Comics, Luke Cage Noir, The Black Panther, Hellboy, Prométhée 13:13

and

Thief of Thieves,

the graphic novel series co-created with Robert Kirkman. Shawn is the writer of

“Red Hood”

for DC Comics. His two part story features the Gotham City neighborhood of

“The Hill”

, which introduces new characters to the Batman Universe. Shawn is a co-author of

“Judge Kim and the Kids’ Court”

, a new children’s book series from Simon & Schuster and is the artist of

“Like Lava in My Veins”

, the bestselling kids’ book with award winning author Derrick D. Barnes. Shawn created storyboards and key art for Netflix’s

“Blood Brother”

documentary and for “Mike Tyson: ‘

The Knockout.”

He is a Vanity Fair contributor and Shawn’s artwork has been showcased at the prestigious Society of Illustrators in New York; and

WHEREAS, The FREE 2024 African American Children’s Book Fair will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2023, live in person at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from 1PM to 4 PM; and

WHEREAS, Council has no doubt that this year’s iteration of the Book Fair will meet all the lofty expectations inspired by its history of excellence. We encourage all of our city’s residents, young and old alike, to discover, for the first time or once again, the wonders to be found in the pages of a good book; 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 its 32nd Annual African American Children’s Book Fair.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies of this Resolution be presented to the African American Children’s Book Project, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.

End