For immediate release — Jan. 13, 2010
(DALLAS) — Leaders are readers! Literacy and education build future leaders, and both presenters and participants at the Dallas County Community College District’s 11th-annual citywide African-American Read-In will build on that foundation in February during Black History Month.
For 10 years, DCCCD’s read-in has provided thousands of free books to area children and families, plus an opportunity for them to hear readings by some of the nation’s most prominent African-American writers and share the joy of reading, music and culture with friends and neighbors, too.
DCCCD’s 11th-annual African-American Read-In — which celebrates literacy among people of all ages (especially children) and shares the writings of African-American authors — will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas. Community members are invited to attend the free event ... families in particular, and children ages 8 and older. Seating is limited, and the theater usually fills to capacity because parents, youngsters and friends traditionally flock to the event. Participants, who will receive free T-shirts and canvas bags, are urged to arrive early.
This year, the read-in will be guided by three honorary co-chairs: Reginald Gates, president of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce; Gail Warrior-Lawrence, president and CEO, the Warrior Group; and Dalton Sherman, Dallas Independent School District student and motivational speaker (the event’s youth co-chair).
“As honorary co-chairs, we know that DCCCD is committed to planning and presenting an outstanding event,” said Gates and Warrior. “For a decade, DCCCD has promoted literacy among children and families. That educational goal continues to guide us for the 2010 event.”
The read-in will “follow a tradition that includes providing books and speakers who will convey the value of African-American literature and the importance of reading,” said Justin Lonon, DCCCD vice chancellor of public and governmental affairs, whose office is coordinating the event. “Our committee, which includes DCCCD staff members and administrators, are working with new and returning volunteers and sponsors to provide an outstanding community-based event.”
The event’s stage production this year, titled “Leaders Are Readers,” is directed by Buster Spiller and written by Paula Sanders; it will blend literacy, reading and leadership themes.
In addition to that original production, a number of area artists will perform during the two-hour program: the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, New Arts Six, Act of Change, W.E. Greiner Academy Dance Group, DFW Youth Poetry SLAM, Michael Guinn, Leo Hassan, The Alumni, Elizabeth Sheppard, the annual WritersWalk, William Hibler, NIA Performance Arts Academy and others.
The DCCCD African-American Read-In in Dallas is the largest event of its kind in the United States and serves as a national model that others have followed. In addition to providing free books and materials to young and old readers alike, DCCCD’s event also has promoted community-based read-ins that have reached thousands of additional readers through schools, community centers, government agencies, churches and countless organizations.
For its 11th-anniversary read-in, DCCCD is partnering with a number of new and returning sponsors who represent Dallas-based and national organizations, plus businesses, community groups and news outlets, to stage the event. They include: K104-FM/KKDA-AM, KRNB-FM, the Downtown Business News, The Dallas Weekly, NtheKnow.com, McDonald’s, American Legacy Magazine, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Dallas Children’s Theater, TeCo Theatrical Productions, Dallas African American Philanthropists, Real Men Charities Inc., Barnes and Noble, Dallas Public Library, National Council of Teachers of English Black Caucus, Harlem Book Fair, Urban Arts Festival, QBR Black Book Review, Millennium Motor Cars, Jokae’s African American Books, Scholastic, Holt McDougal (a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), Perfection Learning and Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
The idea for an African-American Read-In originated with Dr. Jerrie Scott, faculty member at the University of Memphis and a member of the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English. The event’s purpose is to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. Since 2000, the caucus has documented a cumulative total of more than one million people who have participated in read-ins held across the country.
For more information, visit http://www.dcccd.edu/ReadIn or contact Allison Neal, event manager, at (214) 378-1824. Questions can be directed to the committee at AARIsteering@dcccd.edu.
# # #
Press contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819; ahatch@dcccd.edu
(460)