For many years, Make A Way Media has worked hard to spread a love of reading and emphasize the importance of diverse stories and characters through publishing and distributing our work.
It’s been my mission and passion to create and share stories that will resonate with kids from all walks of life and socioeconomic statuses. This company has also strived to create beautiful and timely books that allow young readers to see themselves in stories of faith, love, bravery, adventure, inclusion, and hope. For too long, these diverse and multicultural books have been hard to find or non-existent. Though great strides in showcasing diverse role models within the pages of kids’ books have been made, there is a ton more work to be done.
Banishing Book Deserts
Years ago (in 2016 to be exact), I was deeply moved by this article in The Atlantic.
The article spoke of the reality that in many high-poverty urban neighborhoods, it’s nearly impossible for children in underserved areas to find something to read when they are not at school. Read the article in its entirety here.
Back then, the message in this article hit very close to home for me. In my hometown of Louisville, KY, Highway 65 is the divide between the east and west part of the city. West of Highway 65, there are no book stores, and that significantly reduces access to books for this community’s children and youth.
It truly is a “book desert.” I knew deep in my heart that action needed to be taken to remedy this lack.
The idea for creating a book festival in my hometown had been rattling around in my head for quite some time. Then, in 2018, I took a leap of faith and founded the Louisville Book Festival (LBF). The Louisville Book Festival is an online celebration that promotes authors and encourages communities to share the benefits of reading, writing, and literacy.
Please visit the Louisville Book Festival website to learn more about this 501(c) (3) non-profit organization created to help communities celebrate and promote reading, writing, and literacy.
Fast forward many months, and our plan for the 2020 Louisville Book Festival is THRIVING. Yes, we had to pivot and get creative when COVID-19 gripped our nation, but the event is still happening online, and we know it will be better than we ever could have dreamed.
Meet the Authors and Speakers of the Louisville Book Festival
-Vince Vawter
-Chantelle Agbro
-Cathy Fyock
-Shawn Pavey
-Deedee Cummings
-de de Cox
There will be many more to come as well! Follow the Louisville Book Festival on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay in the loop on LBF news and updates. AND, you will also be the first to know when we do our Extra Special Keynote Speaker reveal!
Save the date for our virtual festival on October 23-24. ❤️📚
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