Only seven more sleeps until the much-anticipated Louisville Book Festival!
After being deeply moved by an article in The Atlantic that discussed the lack of availability to children’s books in high-poverty urban neighborhoods, Louisville, KY mom and businesswoman became aware that her own community was sorely lacking in reading resources for kids. Not being the kind of person to sit on the sidelines and do nothing, Deedee Cummings took action to banish the “book desert” in her hometown and in the process became the founder and CEO of the Louisville Book Festival.
Read Deedee’s article about Banishing Book Deserts in the Louisville Community HERE.
The Louisville Book Festival is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with a mission of celebrating and promoting the benefits of reading, writing, and literacy. The online event will be held on October 23rd and 24th on Zoom. It will include presentations from nationally known authors and illustrators who will be sharing their secrets to writing and publishing books.
As a therapist, attorney, author, and CEO of Make A Way Media, Deedee Cummings is passionate about passing down the lessons she has garnered through her work with families and kids in foster care. All eleven of Cummings’ diverse picture books, poetry books, and workbooks teach coping skills, reinforce the universal message of love, encourage mindfulness, and facilitate inclusion for all. Bringing her love of books and reading to an underserved population through an inclusive book festival was a natural next step.
When faced with the possibility of canceling the in-person festival due to COVID-19 concerns, Deedee chose to pivot and offer the full festival via Zoom, including a powerful message and keynote speech from #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author, Tomi Adeyemi. Read more about how amazing this young author is here.
Another notable author making a virtual presentation at Louisville Book Festival is author Hannah Drake.
Selected in the inaugural class of Hadley Creatives, Hannah Drake offers a powerful, inspirational message. Hannah has served as a presenter at Ideas Festival as a presenter and as a panelist with CNN chief national correspondent, John King.
In April 2017 & 2018, Hannah had the honor of curating an evening of performance artists for the Festival of Faiths featuring dance, poetry, and music. In November 2017, Hannah’s poem, Spaces, was selected by the National Academy of Medicine to be featured in a national art exhibit that speaks to visualizing health equity. Hannah was honored to be selected as 2017 Hadley Creatives, a partnership between the Community Foundation of Louisville and Creative Capital to help local artists build their professional practice.
“Beautiful, Hannah. Best wishes on your own process of becoming—the journey never ends. #IAmBecoming” – Former First Lady, Michelle Obama
Hannah’s presentation is sure to be powerful and inspiring! Go HERE to view the Louisville Book Festival schedule.
Hannah Drake facts:
-Has shared a stage with Angela Davis, Nikky Finney, and Iylana Vanzant
-Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, KMAC, 1619 Flux, and the Tom Joyner Morning Show
-Her Formation poem was shared over 20,000 times and was featured in the award-winning 2018 Youth Violence Prevention commercial
-She was selected by the Muhammad Ali Center to be a daughter of greatness
-Some of her works include: Dear America, I Am Still Rooting For You, Dear White Women, It’s Not You, It’s Me. I’m Breaking Up With You, Views from the Back Pew, and Fragile Destiny
-Here’s a quote from her: “As an artist, you have an obligation to your audience, to tell the truth. Even when it is difficult. Your job as an artist is to leave the world a little better, a little richer, a little freer simply because you were in it and you were fearless enough to allow your art to speak.”
To learn more about the Louisville Book Festival, visit https://www.louisvillebookfestival.com/
In honor of National Book Month in October This is the Earth along with any book in the Make A Way Media catalog, will enjoy a special discount AND free shipping by using SAVE25 at checkout!
