Intimate Conversation with Brown Girls Read
BPM: Please tell us about your blog, bookstore or book club. Where are you located?
Tamela C. Todd founded Brown Girls Read in March, 2016. The program provides age and grade level appropriate workshops that are engaging and educational. There currently are 40 members enrolled in the program. Brown Girls Read operates out of the Northwest Activity Center on Detroit’s westside near Meyers Rd.
BPM: What is the purpose for your organization?
Brown Girls Read is a book club/mentoring program. Our purpose is to increase adolescent literacy and to empower our youth in the community. Our program strives to provide workshops that are both fun and educational. The members learn essay writing, tips for applying for college, best practices for obtaining financial aid, money management and more.
BPM: Tell us about your contributing members. What is the demographic of your group?
Our clubs are divided into groups based on age and grade level for girls ages 7-15. The groups are as follows:
Group Yellow: ages 7-9
Group Orange: ages 10-12
Group Green: ages 13-15
BPM: How do you make your book selections for the month?
Brown Girls Read has a theme for each month. Book selections are based off of that particular theme. Example: For November our members will read about voting, presidents, debates. We feature our monthly books, for all three groups, on our website.
BPM: Do you prefer to read books by authors of color? Do you borrow books from the library?
Brown Girls Read book club is open to all books as long as they fit the age range for our youth. We are very supportive of all authors. Yes, I personally borrow books form the library.
BPM: What are you reading now? What books are on your reading schedule?
Currently I am reading: Successful Women Think Differently by Valorie Burton. I founded this book scrolling though my Facebook timeline. On my personal reading schedule will be: Act like a Success, Think like a Success by Steve Harvey and Marriage Unbreakable the War Against Divorce by Dawn M. Harvey
BPM: How do you feel about attending book signings, literary festivals and events?
I absolutely love any type of literacy event. Two months ago Brown Girls Read was apart of the Motor City Book Experience where we met other book clubs and many wonderful authors promoting their books. In June, 2017 Brown Girls Read will be looking forward to attending the 9th Annual AAMBC Literacy Awards in Atlanta, GA.
I would like to see more participation from the community at literary events.
BPM: Do you primarily purchase books online or in a bookstore? Do you prefer to read digital books? Would you ever stop buying printed books?
Answer: Yes, Brown Girls Read purchases books online and at local bookstores. No, I don't care for digital books at all! I would never stop buying printed books. I enjoy having my books in hand.
Submitted by Tamela Todd, Founder/Director
www.browngirlsread.org - #browngirlsread
