The Education Equity Action Plan Coalition (EEAPC) has made a significant announcement with the unveiling of its Black Studies: An Education for Me + You bookmobile.
This innovative initiative aims to distribute over 5,000 free books to community members residing in all five boroughs of New York City. Running from June 17th to June 25th, 2023, the bookmobile visits are intended to generate awareness and excitement surrounding the introduction of Black Studies curriculum to NYC students this coming fall.
Amongst 16 curricula and over 1,000 books commonly used in Pre-K to eighth grade, a staggering 83% were authored by white individuals, significantly overshadowing the combined number of books by authors of color.
A study conducted by the Coalition for Educational Justice revealed a glaring inequity in the educational landscape. Amongst 16 curricula and over 1,000 books commonly used in Pre-K to eighth grade, a staggering 83% were authored by white individuals, significantly overshadowing the combined number of books by authors of color. Recognizing this disparity, EEAPC has made a commitment to rectify the situation by providing culturally relevant books and learning resources to New York City students. Through their thoughtfully designed bookmobile, students from Pre-K to 8th grade will have access to age-appropriate books that foster a sense of identity, celebrate the Black experience, and encourage a love for reading and learning.
Dr. Shango A. Blake, CEO of TRU SK Consultants and an esteemed expert on urban education, praised the bookmobile’s innovative approach, stating, “The bookmobile brings Black studies to the people, literally meeting them where they live. It embodies EEAPC’s commitment to engaging with local residents to ensure that Black Studies curriculum becomes an immersive learning opportunity for all. New York City is now poised to lead the way in Black studies by interweaving it throughout the curriculum for public school students in all grades.”
The Black Studies bookmobile has been carefully designed to provide students with a preview of the curriculum that will be integrated into social studies classes across New York City schools. The aim is to stimulate curiosity and enhance engagement for students and their families. Nina Stovel, Assistant Vice President of Education at the United Way of New York City, affirmed, “We believe this preview of Black Studies will foster curiosity and heighten engagement for students and their families.”
Visitors to the bookmobile will have the opportunity to interact with various vignettes that shed light on the Black experience and engage in interactive activities onboard an actual school bus. Additionally, they will receive books from the Black Studies library pop-up to take home for their enjoyment. The curated selection of free books, catering to grade levels from Pre-K to 8th grade, includes titles from Scholastic’s Culturally Responsive Collection.
The Black Studies: An Education for Me + You bookmobile will make stops at the following locations:
- Saturday, June 17th: York College (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
- Monday, June 19th: 125th Street & 8th Ave, Harlem (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
- Friday, June 23rd: Bay Avenue & Victory Blvd., Staten Island (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 24th: Fordham Rd & Grand Concourse, Bronx (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
- Sunday, June 25th: Tompkins Ave between Hancock & Halsey, Brooklyn (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
For more information about the bookmobile and EEAPC, please visit www.eeapcoalition.org.
The Education Equity Action Plan Coalition (EEAPC)
The Education Equity Action Plan Coalition (EEAPC) has been tasked with developing an interdisciplinary Pre-K-12 Black Studies Curriculum that recognizes the history and contributions of Black individuals, dating back to pre-slavery times and continuing to the present day.
This comprehensive curriculum will showcase the contributions of ancient Black societies and civilizations and their enduring impact on the modern world.
Core partners involved in the development and launch of the curriculum, in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), include the United Way of New York City (UWNYC), the Black Education Research Collective (BERC), the Eagle Academy Foundation (EAF), the Association of Black Educators of New York (ABENY), Black Edfluencers United (BEU), and the City Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC).
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