Turning the page on diversity and inclusion
Donors can buy book from list and arrange to have it picked up as part of diversity book drive
A post on social media inspired a Niagara Falls woman to launch a campaign to provide books on diversity and inclusivity to teachers across Niagara.
Nineteen-year-old Alyssa Brew recently read a post on Instagram. A teacher had recalled a Black student say, “If I grow up.”
“The impact of that statement was so heavy,” she said. “We need to come together and teach the message of ‘when,’ not ‘if.’”
To that end, the future teacher has launched the When I Grow Up book drive.
“I’ve always loved books and I feel all children have a right to experience education in an inclusive, anti-oppressive environment that celebrates diversity,” said Brew, who recently completed her first year in the primary/junior concurrent education program at Brock University.
People can purchase a book from a list Brew created and she will arrange to have it picked up, or donate to her Go Fund Me page at https://bit.ly/30t9ta2.
Brew launched the page last month and, to date, has raised more than $700 toward her $1,000 goal.
All funds will be used to purchase books from the list, which is available on Instagram — @whenigrowup.books.
“You can also choose a book that you already love if it is not included in the list,” she said, adding gently-used books are also welcome.
Among the Saint Paul High School graduate’s recommendations are “They Both Die in the End,” a young adult novel by author Adam Silvera and “Another,” by author Christian Robinson, for children ages four to eight.
The books will be distributed to teachers and future teachers across the region.
“I want to help create classrooms where every single child feels loved, celebrated, and welcomed,” Brew said. “It is in an environment such as this that children will thrive and learn to their full potential.”