By Jena Ashby, Director 8twelve Coalition—
MUNCIE, IN—The 8twelve Coalition was recently awarded an Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grant from Indiana Humanities with funds from Lilly Endowment, Inc. The goal of this grant is to help Hoosiers think, read, and talk about racial injustice and systemic racism.
The books purchased with this grant allow for a lending library to be available at the new 8twelve Coalition office at 1424 S. Hoyt Ave Several of the selected books were bought in multiple copies so are available for neighbors and organizations working together to host reading groups for both adults and children. The lending library can be accessed by contacting the 8twelve Coalition at 8twelvecoalition@gmail.com.
Materials were selected by 8twleve Coalition resident leaders from among the 400+ titles on an Indiana Humanities pre-approved list, which was curated by librarians with input from humanities scholars. The titles include:
Ain’t Burned All That Bright by Jason Reynolds
Black Birds in the Sky: The Story of Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Towards Racial Justice
Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You
Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood
Bringing Up Race: How to Raise and Kind Child in a Prejudiced World
About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism
The books were purchased from a new, locally-owned online bookstore, Ink Drinkers Anonymous. Ink Drinkers Anonymous believes everyone should have the opportunity to be celebrated, focusing on books written by BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) and indie authors. Keeley Malone is a young BIPOC woman making her dream a reality. Find Keeley here: https://inkdrinkersanonymous.com/
The 8twelve Coalition works towards improving quality of life in South Central & Thomas Park/Avondale Neighborhoods using a collective action approach. Open Door Health Services serves as the administrative/fiscal agent for the 8twelve Coalition with a shared vision of improving quality of life. Learn more here: https://8twelvemuncie.com/
To learn more about Indiana Humanities visit their webpage at: https://indianahumanities.org/
