WHO WE ARE

We are Brooks Permissions. For over 20 years we have empowered culture and community through the legacy and continuing relevance of Pulitzer Prize-winner Gwendolyn Brooks with publications, programming, products and permissions. Your support of this GoFundMe campaign will put a new celebratory edition into the hands of many who might never otherwise know the power and significance of her work.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Literacy is a tool. With it we build better versions of ourselves and our communities. Online or offline, we use a recipe or read about a sports hero. We change our lives with training for a new job or critical news that impacts our families and communities..

Yes, literacy is an important tool because we need to read. Gwendolyn Brooks is a reason to read.

Gwendolyn Brooks was the former Poet Laureate of Illinois (30+ years), Poetry Consultant to the Library of Congress. Gwendolyn Brooks’ works have been featured in film, musical compositions, staged productions and various other forms of artistic expression. This innovative writer, lecturer and educator stands at the nexus of several literary movements and generations.

WHAT THIS IS

Brooks Permissions is offering individuals and organizations who are committed to literacy and social awareness the opportunity to purchase bundles of Annie Allen: The 75th Anniversary Edition. This groundbreaking book made Gwendolyn Brooks the first Black person to ever win the Pulitzer Prize. This new edition contains her original work, new tribute poems from two poet laureates, historical documentation and essays from award-winning poets, educators and critics on Annie Allen’s impact, then and now.

Your gift of book bundles continues Brooks Permissions’s legacy-building activities while allowing people at high schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, community centers, opportunity youth groups and many other entities to be inspired and informed by the words of this iconic writer.

HOW THIS WORKS

Suggested bundles are listed below, but we appreciate any contributions in multiples of $25. We also offer FREE SHIPPING!

2 books $ 50.00

4 books $ 100.00

10 books $ 250.00

25 books $ 625.00

100 books $2500.00

You will receive 3 basic notifications along with regular (but not TOO frequent updates!).

NOTIFICATIONS

1. A thank you for your generous support. Tell us where you’d like the books to go or we can offer suggestions.

2. A note when your gift has been accepted.

3. Final confirmation when the books have been received.

Note #1: We ship by book rate so please allow approximately 2 weeks to complete this process.

Note #2: A maximum of five shipping addresses is allowed.

A REASON TO CELEBRATE

With your support we can far exceed our initial goal as we amplify the voice of a literary hero while building on a legacy that recognizes the importance of passing on a culture’s messages from generation to generation.

“we are each other’s harvest:

we are each other’s business:

we are each other’s magnitude and bond."

from the poem “Paul Robeson”

SEASONS: A Gwendolyn Brooks Experience

Note: Contributions are not tax-deductible.