The Brown Bookshelf Presents: Amplify Black Stories 2021

A Year of Connection for Black Storytellers & Bridge-Building for Children’s Book Publishing Teams to Amplify Black Stories

In partnership with the Highlights Foundation, The Brown Bookshelf presents this year-long program set to amplify Black stories, with a focus on supporting Black storytellers while confronting industry challenges and fostering change. Download a press release. (pdf)

There are two cohorts/tracks in the program: one for storytellers and one for publishing teams.
The tracks will overlap at points for collaboration, though much of the time will center on the needs and responsibilities of each group.

The Storyteller cohort includes debut, midlist, and vanguard Black authors and illustrators across all children’s literature genres and formats, at no cost to the storyteller. Discover the 24 storytellers in the cohort.

The Publishing Teams cohort includes a diverse and inclusive gathering of executives, editors, and marketing and design staff from publishing houses. Our sponsoring publishers and organizations have empowered and funded Black creators and staff to participate while supporting this collaboration to dismantle the systems of racism that exist within the children’s publishing industry. Find sponsorship opportunities here.

Meet our cohort of 24 storytellers! You can find out more about them here.

Would you like to see and purchase titles from our Storyteller cohort and members of The Brown Bookshelf?

THE LITERARY CAFE–BOOKS & EVENTS Bookstore Amplify Black Stories Book List, Curated by The African American Children’s Book Project showcases a wide range of topics and talent from the Black Literary Community, including our cohort of Storytellers and members of the Brown Bookshelf. The list includes both non-fiction and fiction titles that will empower, enlighten and enrich all readers. Visit the bookstore.

Amplify Black Stories is a living commitment to the The Brown Bookshelf’s 2020 kidlit industry Call to Action, with recognition of how influential children’s literature can be for social change. It will feature a series of online sessions to:

• Offer community and mentorship for Black storytellers as they bring their stories to life and provide beloved books for children in today’s world.
• Foster educator connections and bookseller/influencer networking to bring Black stories to growing audiences, fueling the impact sparked by Black creators.
• Promote publisher collaborations to craft detailed, change-making, actionable programs of commitment and support for their Black authors, illustrators, and colleagues. Publisher teams will assess current states, see what’s working across the industry, and reimagine possibilities, all building toward a deliverable plan to effectively support and market the work of Black authors and illustrators.

February 24: Opening Celebration of Stories, Programs, and Commitment
Watch the celebration.

MARCH 2021
For Storytellers
Discover the 24 storytellers in the cohort

For Publishing Teams
Wednesday, March 31, 12:30pm Eastern
Panel: A Historical Perspective and Hope-filled Future of Black Stories and Storytellers
Panelists: Dr. Nancy Tolson (moderator), Edith Campbell, Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, Wade and Cheryl Hudson and Dr. Kim Parker
Join us and hear from scholars, change-makers, and creatives. This 60 to 75 minute session will honor past books, Black authors, and Black artists, as we look to the future to amplify new Black stories and storytellers. During this first, open session, we will provide an overview of the publisher track, along with details about the first assignment for the course which includes responding to each of the four pillars of the The Brown Bookshelf’s Call to Action.

APRIL 2021
For Storytellers
Sunday, April 25, 7-9pm Eastern
Welcome, introductions and overview of program goals
Break into small groups for discussion on dreams, goals, and what storytellers need from the program
Back to whole group to share and discuss some ideas from the breakout rooms
Overview of program schedule and what to expect month-to-month and from the community forum
Q & A

For Publishing Teams
No live session
Team to gather: Past acquisitions, author relationships and support, and marketing plans

For Storytellers
Wednesday, May 5, 7-9pm Eastern
Marketing Your Book: The Journey of a Book from Sale to Sales; Panel Discussion; and Small Group Q & A

For Publishing Teams
Wednesday, May 5, 12:30pm Eastern
Discoveries, Needs, Strengths, and Goals: A working session for industry teams.

For Both Cohorts
Wednesday, June 2, 7-8:30pm Eastern
Publishing Organizations Working to Amplify Black Stories
Panel followed by small-group sessions

For Both Cohorts
Wednesday, July 7, 7-8:30pm Eastern
Black influencers + Black Booksellers & Distributors Working to Amplify Black Stories
Panel followed by breakouts into cohorts

For Storytellers
Wednesday, August 4, 7pm Eastern
School visits, Educator Guides, Speaker Agents, and Conference Proposals

For Publishing Teams
Wednesday, August 4, 12:30pm Eastern
How to Cultivate Relationships with Black Storytellers: Commitment, Calls for Submissions, and Hiring Practices
Panel followed by breakouts into cohorts

For Both Cohorts
Wednesday, September 8, 7pm Eastern
Come together, share, and discuss ways we continue to work and move forward

For Storytellers & For Publishing Teams
Wednesday, October 6, 7 – 8:30pm Eastern
Black History Through Oral Storytelling Traditions with Donna Washington, Beverly Burnette, and Alicia D. Williams

For Storytellers

1:1 Consultations 
Dates TBD

For Storytellers

Legal, Licensing, Rights, & Permissions, followed by Q & A

For Both Cohorts
Wednesday, November 3, 7-8:30pm Eastern
The Measure of Amplify Black Stories
Come together, share, and discuss ways we continue to work and move forward.

The plans and relationships created during this program will outlast the program itself, creating transformative, palpable change that brings more Black stories to more children everywhere.

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PARTNER LEVEL SPONSORS

     

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STRENGTHEN LEVEL SPONSORS

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SUPPORT LEVEL SPONSORS