Remarkable Moments in Black History: A Conversation with the Authors of “Black Boy, Black Boy”

Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 5:30 – 6:45 pm | FREE | In Person at Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill or Virtual via Zoom

“Dear boy, Black boy, I believe in you so. Let’s start your story – ready, set, go.”

With funding from the North Caroliniana Society, Pre-K & K-12 Teachers in North Carolina will receive a FREE copy of the beautiful board book, “Black Boy, Black Boy” post-participation!

From inventor Elijah McCoy to writer Chinua Achebe, authors Ali Kamanda & Jorge Redmond have created a lyrical, rhythmic text celebrating inspirational Black men, past and present, in their debut children’s book Black Boy, Black Boy. Illustrated by Ken Daley, the book encourages readers to imagine everything they can be and the great things they can do, drawing on the strength of some of the Black men in history who have helped pave the way.

Join Carolina K-12 & the Black on Black Project for a conversation with the authors, moderated by Black on Black founder Michael S. Williams. They will discuss their inspiration for creating the book, the people and themes it portrays, as well as current events and challenges our communities still face. Time for Q & A will also be provided.

***Please note that while Black Boy, Black Boy is a children’s book, this event & discussion is designed for adult audiences (educators, parents, & all interested community members are encouraged to attend.)***

LOGISTICS (In Person OR Zoom registration available)

If you register for Zoom participation, a link will be sent to the e-mail you provide a few days before the event. (If you have not received your link the evening before Feb. 28, and it is not in your spam/junk folder, please contact CarolinaK12@unc.edu.)
Seating for approximately 70 in-person registered attendees is available at Flyleaf Books, 752 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, 27514. Please arrive between 5 pm – 5:25 pm to claim your seat, as all empty seats will be released to any non-registered drop ins at 5:25 pm.
Pre-K & K-12 teachers currently employed in a NC school will receive a FREE copy of the book post attendance. (In person participants will receive their book immediately following the event; Zoom participants will receive a link during the program to provide a mailing address where to book will be sent.)
Limited copies of “Black Boy, Black Boy” will be available for purchase at Flyleaf Books on Feb. 28, or pre-order your copy from Flyleaf here. (To guarantee availability & arrival, orders should be placed from Flyleaf no later than Feb. 15.)

***While this event is free, please let us know if you no longer plan to attend in person. This will help us manage space & book orders. Cancellations should be sent to CarolinaK12@unc.edu.***

Please complete this form to register for in-person or virtual via zoom

ABOUT THE AUTHORS & PROGRAM HOSTS

Ali Biko Sulaiman Kamanda (author) is an award-winning filmmaker & social entrepreneur from Sierra Leone, West Africa, and a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus. He runs BIKO Studios, a cross-cultural film production company, and is the President of Salone Rising, a nonprofit that provides micro-financing & mentoring resources to small business owners in rural Sierra Leone.

George Redmond (author) is the Senior Attorney for Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, previously serving as the Assistant District Attorney. He is an adjunct professor of law at South College, and is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and John Marshall Law School.

Michael S. Williams (moderator) is a consultant & the founder of the Black on Black Project, an organization that produces art exhibitions and short films that address issues affecting communities across the state of North Carolina.

Carolina K-12, a program of Carolina Public Humanities at UNC-CH, serves teaching professionals around the state with access to free, high quality professional development, teacher retreats, & curricular resources.

The North Caroliniana Society, dedicated to the promotion of increased knowledge & appreciation of North Carolina’s heritage, partners with Carolina K-12 on the William Friday Teacher Education Initiative and provides funding for teacher retreats, virtual education events, and classroom resources. With their generous funding, attending educators will receive a free copy of “Black Boy, Black Boy.”

HELP US GET EVEN MORE BOOKS INTO CLASSROOMS AROUND THE STATE!

If you would like to help us get even more books into classrooms around the state, you can donate any amount to sponsor a book for a North Carolina educator/classroom!

To donate, visit this site.
Select “Carolina K12 Fund for Carolina Humanities – 104558”in the drop-down box.
Enter any amount you choose! ($25 covers one book and its mailing.)
In the “Inspiration for Giving” field, please write Black Boy Black Boy so we know your gift is to sponsor a book/books for classrooms all around the state.
Every dollar will go directly to books and their mailing, and ultimately, to PreK and K-12 educators all across the state!

This program is provided by the Black on Black Project and Carolina K-12, with funding from the Black on Black Project and the North Caroliniana Society. Special appreciation to Flyleaf Books for the use of their space.