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WE ARE HERE!: a Literary Space for ​Black Boys and Young Black Men

WE ARE HERE!: a Literary Space for ​Black Boys and Young Black Men

By WE ARE HERE!

The mission of WE ARE HERE is to increase the appreciation and self-efficacy for literacy among Black boys and young men so they embody the type of self-belief and motivation to expand their perspectives about personal, educational, and career aspirations.
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Rev. Dr. Michael Waters

WE ARE HERE!: a Literary Space for ​Black Boys and Young Black MenOct 02, 2021

00:00
59:42
Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana

Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana

Knowledge Reigns Supreme

Join us this Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana and let's talk about 'Leveraging MC Dreams Towards Literacy'.

Black culture encapsulates a colorful oral tradition that can be seen in the West African tradition of the Griot, the Black Arts Movement, to today's Hip Hop Generation, as recently seen in Kendrick's Mr. Morale & the Big Stepper.

We have continually seen the 'Us vs. Them' Hip Hop history debates. How can we better create The Bridge to work collectively to create intergenerational ties to Black oral and written stories and literary traditions to build strong young black male communicators of The Message?

Bring your thoughts, opinions, pedagogy, scholarship, and questions as we discuss our music and literary history to build our young Black Brotha's voices.

Jun 28, 202201:06:36
We Are Here Lit! Interviews Author & Researcher Dr. Alfred Tatum

We Are Here Lit! Interviews Author & Researcher Dr. Alfred Tatum

Join us as we talk about his latest publication: Teaching Black Boys in the Elementary Grades: Advanced Disciplinary Reading and Writing to Secure Their Futures, growing up in Chicago,  his reading habits, the influence of public libraries, and much more!

Jun 08, 202251:18
Author & Educator Desmond Williams

Author & Educator Desmond Williams

The Burning House: Educating Black Boys in Modern America by Desmond Williams

Join us as we speak to Educator & Author Desmond Williams and discuss literacy, being an administrator, and deconstructing the educational system, and what it takes to get young Black males to succeed.

Apr 22, 202201:02:44
We Are Here Lit! interviews Award-Winning Author Carole Boston Weatherford in honor of Women's History Month!

We Are Here Lit! interviews Award-Winning Author Carole Boston Weatherford in honor of Women's History Month!

We will celebrate her space in children's literature as an author who has given voice to Black historical people and places for all to learn. We also learn about her influence on her son Jeffery who is a Poet, MC, and Illustrator.

Apr 02, 202256:42
We Are Here Lit! interviews Dr Nathaniel Bryan

We Are Here Lit! interviews Dr Nathaniel Bryan

Join We Are Here Lit! as we talk to Dr. Nathaniel Bryan and his new book Toward a BlackBoyCrit Pedagogy: Black Boys, Male Teachers, and Early Childhood Classroom Practices. We also discuss Dr. Bryan's educational and literacy journey, supporting educators, what is BlackBoyCrit, Black boys & sports, homeschooling, and much more.
Jan 15, 202239:52
Dr Guy A. Sims

Dr Guy A. Sims

Dr. Guy Sims, Philly native,  co-creator of the critically acclaimed Brotherman comics books takes time to share his story with us! He is a frequent collaborator with his brother, illustrator Dawud Anyabwile. He adapted Walter Dean Myers' book Monster into a graphic novel which Mr. Anyabwile illustrated.

Dr. Sims discusses, the role literacy played in his life, writing, the story behind Brotherman comics, retelling Monster for a new generation, and much more...

Dec 04, 202101:11:48
Just Us Book Publishers Cheryl & Wade Hudson!

Just Us Book Publishers Cheryl & Wade Hudson!

Publishers Cheryl and Wade Hudson, of Just Us Books,  will discuss their critically acclaimed new releases 'Recognize' and 'Defiant' and also talk about supporting Black publishers, authors, and bookstores this holiday season.

Nov 20, 202101:04:31
Scholar-Athlete James to interview Track Olympian and Businessman Kenny Selmon

Scholar-Athlete James to interview Track Olympian and Businessman Kenny Selmon

Join us as We Are Here Lit! invites guest interviewer Middle School Scholar-Athlete James to interview Track Olympian and Businessman Kenny Selmon about discovering track, being in the Olympics, balancing school and athletics, defining your identity beyond sports, and more.

Nov 20, 202112:11
ILoveBooks.Org's Jonathan Beatty

ILoveBooks.Org's Jonathan Beatty

Join us as we talk to Jonathan Beatty, author of the Newsweek opinion piece The Challenge of Defeating Illiteracy in America and Founder of I Love Books. We’ll discuss how we can end illiteracy through cross-sector collaboration, collective problem solving, and strategic resource allocation.

Nov 07, 202157:54
Ray Anthony Shepard

Ray Anthony Shepard

We Are Here Lit! shares our interview with acclaimed Author, Historian, and Educator Ray Anthony Shepard.

An insightful journey, Mr. Shepard will share his literacy story, his path as an Educator to a noted Author sharing the importance critical literacy plays in telling African-American historical narratives.
Oct 30, 202101:05:12
R.E.A.D. Books With Joziah!
Oct 16, 202116:19
Rev. Dr. Michael Waters

Rev. Dr. Michael Waters

Hip Hop, Spirituality, Social Justice, Young Black Males & Literacy????

Yes, all in one conversation, you definitely must hear.

Rev. Dr. Michael Waters, the author of For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, will be the featured guest premiering on the We Are Here Lit.

His new book Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip is out October 12th.

An insightful narrative to understand the environment to embrace the culture of literacy.

Oct 02, 202159:42
Black Male Librarians: Our Stories Advocating for Children & Literacy

Black Male Librarians: Our Stories Advocating for Children & Literacy

Topics about literacy and Black males infrequently present the narratives from their voices and stance. Join us to hear the perspectives of Black male librarians as they discuss their narratives advocating as children’s librarians and community leadership.  The live discussion will also talk about their literacy narratives, the Black male identity in the #kidslit world and librarianship, perspectives on the state of literacy, especially for minoritized communities, and engaging children to read.

Sep 24, 202101:12:05
Brothers With Books Interview

Brothers With Books Interview

We Are Here: A Literacy Space for Black boys young Black men features an insightful and engaging interview with Community Literacy Advocates, Brothers with Books.

Kevin Isabelle-Peete and Isiah Cudjoe talk about their reading and literacy experiences, how they promote literacy through their organization and provide powerful testimony to responsiveness, reading role models, and access to books.

Sep 18, 202101:11:53
Aiden Taylor, author of Me & My Afro

Aiden Taylor, author of Me & My Afro

Aiden shares his inspiration for writing the book, his future plans as an author, and his thoughts for other young authors, among other topics.

Sep 04, 202107:34
The State of young Black males & Literacy

The State of young Black males & Literacy

Celebrated #blackboylit creatives Gordon James (Illustrator), Wade Hudson (Publisher & Author), and Tony Medina (Author) about literacy and motivating Black boys and young Black men to read.

Aug 28, 202101:08:46