The Black Studies: An Education for Me + You Bookmobile Debuts in Jamaica, Queens
On June 17th, 2023, at York College in Jamaica, Queens, the Education Equity Action Plan Coalition’s (EEAPC) Black Studies: An Education for Me + You bookmobile embarked on its two-weekend NYC tour across all five boroughs.
The traveling bookmobile provided an immersive learning experience for community members as its vibrant interior was adorned with various vignettes that paid homage to Black history and its iconic figures, including a chronicle of the Black family structure, details about the Great Migration, and a tribute to the legendary Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance. The bus also featured a slideshow of Black history facts for visitors to learn something they likely didn’t know before.
The bookmobile's vibrant colors paid tribute to African-American heritage and encouraged patrons to exhibit pride in their names. The dedication was part of the Black Studies program of the EEAP Coalition, which seeks to address the issue of discrimination and isolation faced by many African-American pupils with unique names.
The other focal point of the EEAP Coalition’s event was the Pre-K-8th grade book giveaway. Notably, all the books handed out by EEAPC featured protagonists characters of color. There was a diverse range of books, from short nonfiction narratives of Black leaders to more whimsical fictional stories about common childhood experiences to inspire the attending students to see the magic in reading.
People from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds expressed their gratitude for the bookmobile's efforts. The kids thoroughly explored its extensive collection of books, and they were fascinated by some titles that caught their interest. Initially, they were hesitant to try out new materials, but their excitement and eagerness to engage grew as they found something they liked.
Positive feedback was shared by several parents about the Black Studies program. They noted that the materials found in the bookmobile should be brought to their children's classrooms, and they wished the curriculum had been more culturally competent when they were in school.
Educators who are part of the EEAP Coalition's constituency also shared their thoughts on how the program can be improved. Many of them noted that they are currently working on incorporating a more diverse curriculum in their classes. They said that implementing the new curriculum, which will be in place this fall, would make a significant impact.
