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This Saturday, Burst Into Books Presents the 2nd Annual W.O.W. Lit Fest

Burst Into Books is a nonprofit offering literacy and resources for children six months to eighteen years old and providing representation by diverse authors, books & storytellers.  Burst Into Books is committed to helping the youth deepen their love of reading by integrating the arts, providing opportunities to engage with those connected to the literacy […]
The post This Saturday, Burst Into Books Presents the 2nd Annual W.O.W. Lit Fest first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Burst Into Books is a nonprofit offering literacy and resources for children six months to eighteen years old and providing representation by diverse authors, books & storytellers. 

Burst Into Books is committed to helping the youth deepen their love of reading by integrating the arts, providing opportunities to engage with those connected to the literacy field, and creating a space to express themselves.

The 2nd Annual W.O.W. Literary Festival, hosted by Burst Into Books, is the ultimate celebration of books-to-be-written, books-to-be-read and designed with young readers and writers of all ages in mind. 

The festival will be held at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park in Chicago on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 11 am – 5 pm. It will feature talents such as author Jason Reynolds, illustrator Jerry Craft, and moderator Dr. Eve L. Ewing, to name a few.

Burst Into Books’ primary mission is to rebuild local and national villages through advocacy, the arts, educational and family programming. Burst Into Books envisions a world transformed by cultural literacy through education.

Importance of Literacy In Our Neighborhoods

There is a false narrative that our Black and Brown children don’t want to read and write in our communities. We are the most creative and innovative people, and I think a lot of times, it is about creating a space for kids to see themselves in what they’re reading. My work is rooted in reading and writing as an everyday practice. It’s important to realize that our kids are avid readers and writers, just not in a traditional sense, stated Jurema Gorham, Executive Director and Founder of Burst Into Books.

Burst Into Books

This organization was born in 2018 from a conversation with people who were upset that everything they sought to do with their children was outside the radius of their neighborhood. 

They created a book club to be the change they wanted to see. After forming the book club, the focus became enlisting guest Black authors and illustrators to join the collective as they began the journey toward inspiring Black and brown children through literacy. 

I created this space for kids to come to and be inspired while having the access that they normally wouldn’t have with books and characters that reflect who they are. It was also important for me to create a space that was not a drop-off. We equip our parents with tools through workshops and conversations that allow them to learn and grow as well. We are a safe space, and we are a community for parents as well, said Gorham.

W.O.W. Literary Festival

This festival has proven to be a staple on the literary scene. W.O.W., an acronym for Words of Wonder, has that name thanks to one of Gorham’s mentors, Nora Brooks Blakely, daughter of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Gwendolyn Brooks. 

The festival itself is an idea that has always been in the works, as Chicago is a city of festivals. Community is important. When it comes to Black literary children’s festivals, there were none on the far South Side.

Burst Into Books saw a need and filled it in the historic Pullman neighborhood. It’s a space that has been neglected for these types of cultural events for far too long. 

“I chose a space that would recognize and celebrate the diversity of Black culture, and that is Pullman,” Gorham said.

W.O.W. Lit Fest will highlight Black and brown artists and authors from local and surrounding cities that believe in the power of changing the narrative with our stories. 

These stories and workshops matter, so parents, pull up tomorrow with your little ones and enjoy a day of Black literary richness. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit this W.O.W. Lit Fest link.

For More Information

What: The 2nd Annual WORDS OF WONDER Literary Festival, hosted by Burst Into Books

When: Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park (10201 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60628)

What Else: This event is FREE

The post This Saturday, Burst Into Books Presents the 2nd Annual W.O.W. Lit Fest appeared first on Chicago Defender.

The post This Saturday, Burst Into Books Presents the 2nd Annual W.O.W. Lit Fest first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Chicago Defender Staff

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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