Free children's books, parent workshops and more during the 2020 African American Read-In!

We encourage all Dallas ISD elementary students and their families to attend the 2020 African American Read-In on Saturday, Feb. 22!

The Racial Equity Office (REO) will host this cultural event in collaboration with three Dallas ISD trustees. The 2020 African American Read-In is set to take place at Justin F. Kimball High School on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Each student will receive a free bag of books to build their home library, and school bus transportation and lunch will be provided for elementary school students. The books will be a variety of reading level appropriate stories featuring African American characters, writers, as well as other children favorites.

The 2020 African American Read-In will offer a variety of music performances, dancing, poetry, storytelling, singing, and other interactive activities with movement. Free parent workshops will also take place during the event.

Alejandro Pérez, Jr., life coach and teaching artist for Big Thought’s Creative Solutions will be the event’s keynote speaker. Attendees will hear from REO Deputy Chief Leslie Williams, Justin Henry, District 9 Trustee and Board President; District 6 Trustee Joyce Foreman and District 5 Trustee Maxie Johnson.

“Thank you to our hosting trustees, KPMG as our book donors, and Dallas ISD departments and outside organizations that worked with us to help bring this event to life: Office and Family and Community Engagement, Reading Language Arts Department, Student Transportation Services, Communication Services, Volunteer and Partnership Services, and Big Thought,” said Monique Jones, REO parent amp; community engagement coordinator.

The African American Read-In Day is an annual Dallas ISD tradition. During the month of February, several schools, churches, libraries and bookstores across the nation organize similar events. This is part of a national initiative to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.