#ChiDoesGood: Black Publishing Power
At Camp Chi, we create experiences that highlight a wide range of topics, from deep and educational to light and fun. These experiences allow our campers to take away the moments that are meaningful to them and apply it to their own lives. With camp not in session this summer, and in person events highly restricted, it’s important to continue living the values of Camp Chi, experiencing life, shaping opinions and deciding how to take action. One of the best ways to learn and grow is through literature and reading.
As the fight for racial justice continues, there is a growing need to share books with children to help them learn about and formulate their own opinions on the subject so that they can partake in the actions and advocacy to reach the goal. To that end, Amistad, HarperCollins’ Black and multicultural imprint, has launched the hashtag campaign #BlackoutBestsellerList and #BlackPublishingPower. The campaign runs from June 14-20 and hopes to encourage everyone to purchase at least 1-2 books by any Black author so that the bestseller list is taken over with books by Black writers.
While we have previously released lists of books to purchase for educational purposes, here are lists of children’s books by Black authors, books for older children by Black authors, young adult top picks by black authors focusing LCBTQ+ stories. If you want to be leader in regard check out the upcoming new releases by Black writers for adults.
Just sharing lists of books to buy certainly helps you and your family grow and learn but you can actually give the gift of literature to classrooms across the country and help the younger generation learn about race and racial inequality. We’ve curated a list of local and national classrooms looking to add Black voices to their libraries so that you can make a difference right now. This website gives you ample flexibility to find the right classroom to donate to and choose which books you’d like to pay forward. In addition, the Book Angels programs matches you with a classroom in need, so you can view the books the teachers are requesting to supplement libraries in impoverished schools with new books.
This week we are asking Chi families to do good by supporting #BlackPublishingPower and enriching yourselves, your families and a whole generation of children with Black words, voices and books.
Camp Chi has other resources available as well. We are always here to help. Contact us anytime.
For other ways to give back and show that Chi Does Good, click here.