<div>Hi. I’m Valerie J. Lewis Coleman—an author, publisher, and unstoppable champion for literacy and representation! I believe every child deserves to see themselves as the hero of their own story, and that’s why <strong>I’m on a mission to put powerful, diverse books into the hands of BIPOC children everywhere.</strong>
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<div>Growing up, I rarely saw characters who looked like me in books, and I know how important it is for kids to feel seen, valued, and inspired. That’s why I created the <strong>When I See Me™ BIPOC Children's Book Fair</strong>—to make sure no child walks away without a book that reflects their beauty, brilliance, and boundless potential.
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<div>Books have the power to shape confidence, spark dreams, and change lives. And I won’t stop until every child has the chance to hold a book and say, “That’s me!”
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<div><strong>Help Us Give 400+ Children a Book They Can See Themselves In!</strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/empowering-young-minds-through-representation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last year</a>, thanks to generous donors like you, we raised over $3,700 and provided 300 children with books featuring characters who look like them—stories where they saw themselves as heroes, explorers, and leaders. Now, we’re gearing up for the Second Annual When I See Me™ BIPOC Children's Book Fair, and we need your help to go even bigger!
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<div><strong>Why This Campaign Matters</strong>
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<div>Studies show that when children see themselves reflected in books, they are more engaged, confident, and inspired to read. But for many kids, books featuring diverse characters are hard to find—and even harder to afford. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring every child at our book fair leaves with a book they chose and love at no cost to their families.
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<div><strong>The Story That Started It All</strong>
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<div>At a Black History Month book signing, I met a little girl whose face lit up when she saw my book, <em>Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me.</em>
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<div>"It's me! It's me," she exclaimed, pointing at a character on the cover. Her father, with five other children in tow, couldn’t afford to buy books for all of them. That baby stood at the table and stared at the book. I couldn't let her leave emptyhanded and I gifted it to her on the spot. At that moment, I made a promise: <strong>No child will ever walk away from my book fair without a book in their hands</strong>. That promise became the foundation for our <strong>A Book in Every Bag</strong> initiative.
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/89573021_1742307622318035_r." width="100%" />
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<div><strong>Your Donations Provide More Than Books</strong>
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<div>With your support, we’ll be able to provide:
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<li>400+ books to children who may never have owned one before
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<li>20+ diverse authors sharing stories that uplift and inspire
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<li>Fun, interactive literacy activities—like <em>The Magic of Emotionsville</em>, led by therapist and mental health advocate, Lamarr E. Lewis of <a href="https://lewisfamilyconsulting.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lewis Family Consulting</a>. His session helped children - and their parents - explore their feelings through storytelling.
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<li>School supplies and gifts, including writing journals, Chick-fil-A gift cards, and drawstring bags—all generously donated by sponsors last year.
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<div><strong>Be a Part of the Change!</strong>
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<div>Every dollar makes a difference:
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<li>$10 puts a book in a child’s hands
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<li>$25 provides books and supplies for two children
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<li>$50 sponsors a literacy gift bag for a young reader
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<li>$100+ helps bring this book fair to more schools and children
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<div>Donate today and help us inspire the next generation of readers, dreamers, and leaders!
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<div>Thank you in advance.
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<div>Valerie J. Lewis Coleman aka MeMe
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