WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE OF COLOR IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS?

BEA 2014: Diversity in Children's Publishing

All the Children, Need All of the Books!

The panelists:  Wade Hudson of Just Us Books, author Tonya Bolden, packager Bernette Ford, Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati of Literary Media and Publishing Consultants, Patrik Henry Bass of Essence,  Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency, and Harlyn Pacheco of Qlovi.  Photo by Jerry Craft.

Prominent African-American and Hispanic children’s book publishers, publicists, agents, and authors were featured on the BEA panel “Where Are the People of Color in Children’s Books?”

Moderated by Troy Johnson, head of the African-American Literary Book Club, and organized by Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, CEO of Literary Media and Publishing Consultants, the panel focused on the lack of availability of ethnically diverse children’s books in schools, libraries, and bookstores, and opened with a history of African-American children’s book publishing in the U.S., presented by Wade Hudson, co-founder of the children’s book publisher Just Us Books. This recording is a rebroadcast of that panel and the first speaker is Wade Hudson.  A common thread of the discussion was that children need books that reflect the world they live in.  The panelists offered concrete ideas about how to increase the number and visibility of books for children of color. Listen to this panel and share with others!  Quoted by PW.


Facebook Message from Mr. Wade Hudson

Book Expo America offered wonderful opportunities for Black writers and publishing professionals and people of color to share and network. There certainly is a desire among all of us to address the lack of diversity in publishing across the board. That was evident when seventeen Black children's and young adult book creators gathered at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum's 2nd Annual Children's Book Fair held on May 10th in Baltimore, MD.

After much discussion, we all left the book fair determined to take on the challenge. That same determination was present at Book Expo America as well. As I shared during the panel "Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books?", on Saturday at Book Expo America, we need a movement, with everyone involved--from those in the publishing world, to educators, parents, churches and community organizations, and of course, book creators. We had such a movement underway in the seventies, eighties, nineties and early years of 2000. But, for a number of reasons, it lost stream. We need to fire up the engine again. And I am sure we will do that!  We must!

We all know good books have power to change lives, to empower, to inform, and yes, to entertain. We must not wait on others! We need to do what we can, in organized and strategical ways, to get more diverse books published, but just as importantly, to get those books into the hands of all children, all people!

Black-owned presses such as Just Us Books, Jerry Craft's Mama Boyz, Inc., Zetta Elliott's Rosetta Press and independent presses such as Lee & Low Books and Cinco Puntos have been doing just that! These presses need to be supported as well as the books written by Black authors and authors of color that are published by larger publishers. The "movement" continues.  Read the original post and comments:  https://www.facebook.com/wade.hudson2/posts/10152307650864193
 

TROY JOHNSON OF AALBC ADDED THE BIOS FOR EACH SPEAKER

Wade Hudson’s career as a writer spans more than three decades. In 1988, Hudson's passion for writing and life-long mission to help foster positive self-images within the Black community, prompted him and his wife Cheryl to launch Just Us Books, the nation's leading independent publisher of Black-interest books for young people. Wade currently serves as president and CEO. Wade has also written more than 25 books for young people. 

Bernette Ford founded COLOR-BRIDGE BOOKS, a packaging and consulting company, in January 2003, and has packaged a wide range of children’s books, all written and illustrated by people of color. Ford’s career begin in 1972 and covered a variety of roles including, VP/Associate Publisher at Grosset & Dunlap where she was the first African-American editor to hold that position at a major house. Bernette has also written many picture books for toddlers and children.

Regina Brooks is the founder and CEO of Serendipity Literary Agency and represents a diverse base of award-winning authors in children's and young adult fiction. Her authors have received numerous accolades and honors including Coretta Scott King awards, a National Book Award finalist, and a Lambda Award Winner. She is the author of the children's book, Never Finished! Never Done! and the award winning go-to book for MFA programs, Writing Great Books for Young Adults.

Tonya Bolden has authored, co-authored, or edited more than two dozen books for children and young adults. They include: The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali, Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl, and her latest, Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America. Tonya has a great passion for American history and aims to make it come alive for our nation's young people. It’s one of the ways she expresses her hope for the future.

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati is the CEO of The Literary Media and Publishing Consultants. The Literary is a PR firm that specializes in publishing , they are consultant to authors, publishers and corporate entities interested in literacy.  She is also the founder of The African American Children's Book Project which produces the largest and oldest single day event the, African American Children's Book Fair. In addition Vanesse is the cultural correspondent for WURD-AM radio in Philadelphia and a frequent contributor on the syndicated Bev Smith Show that broadcast in 30 major markets around the country.

Patrik Henry Bass is an award-winning writer and editor, with an extensive background in publishing covering books, history, lifestyle and popular culture. Bass currently serves as editorial projects director at Essence Magazine. He has played a significant role in the development of such recognizable editorial franchises including The Essence Book Club and the Essence Literary Awards. The Zero Degree Zombie Zone, his first children’s book, will be released on August 26, 2014 from Scholastic Press.

Harlyn Pacheco is CEO and Co-Founder of Qlovi. Qlovi creates digital reading experiences that accelerate literacy achievement for diverse kids. Using their interactive platform, Qlovi distributes eBooks to K-12 channels for 20 publishers, including HarperCollins. In 2013, Qlovi was named winners in the Gates Foundation Literacy Courseware Challenge, Echoing Green Fellowship, and HarperCollins BookSmash Challenge.

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