<div>As of 2021, <strong>85 percent of Black students lack proficiency in reading skills. </strong>(The Hill)
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<div>In February of 2020 I released my first book, <em>'Black History Saved My Life: How My Viral Hate Crime Led to an Awakening.'</em> In November of 2022 I released my first children's book, <em>'The ABCs of Affirming Black Children,'</em> (the second edition was released in 2024). Since releasing these books, I've never charged a child who has shown interest in purchasing one. If there parent isn't there to purchase it, I simply donate the book(s) to them. As my platform grows, this becomes difficult, due to the amount of children I now speak to. However, it must still be done, whether I receive assistance or not.
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<div>Last year, I asked for help in doing this, and you all doubled my goal, and because of that I was able to provide over 300 books for children across the country at no charge - this is especially important now when you consider the literacy epidemic we are facing as a country. In addition to the stat above, <strong>"just 11.1% of Black third-grade students (in Illinois) could read at grade level in 2022. In 20 school districts, no Black third-grade students could read at grade level (in Illinois)"</strong>
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<div>This is a dire situation, and as a former high school history teacher, I believe it is my duty to use the skillset I gained from teaching social science/history for 12 years to reach our children through the Black history books that I've written. This is because, <strong>experts suggest that one of the best ways to improve literacy is to read to, and with, your children daily, and to make literature accessible to them. Additionally, studies show that when students are taught to have racial pride, they perform better academically.</strong>
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<div>So, with these two books, one of which is suitable for K-5, and the other, which is suitable for high school (or middle school) and above, I'm providing a pathway for our kids to improve their literacy AND self-image of who they are as Black Americans.
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<div>With all of that said, I am embarking on a similar journey as last year. I have been asked to speak at a notable youth summit in December in Houston (voluntarily) and <strong>would like to provide each of the 350 high school students there with my first book, as a surprise.</strong> Additionally, I will be releasing a second edition of my children's book in December, and I'd like to send copies to a similar amount of children (350) across the country at no cost to them, or their school. <strong><em>(UPDATE: I was able to do successfully do this!)</em></strong>
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<div>I would greatly appreciate it if you can donate whatever you can to help me reach as many of our children as possible. <strong>Whether I reach this goal or not, these kids will get a copy of my book, so any help you can provide will be a tremendous help in lightening my load.</strong> In full transparency, I've included the breakdown below. Although my first book retails at $30, and my children's book at $20, I came up with this number ($10,500) based on a rate of $15 per book, which will include shipping.
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<div>Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
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<li>Houston, TX high school speaking engagement - 350 copies of, 'Black History Saved My Life.'<strong><em> (I was able to do this!)</em></strong>
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<li>A minimum of 11 elementary schools across the country (TBD) - 350 copies of the second edition of, 'The ABCs of Affirming Black Children.'<strong><em> (I was not able to do this yet!)</em></strong>
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<div><strong>350 books for Houston at $15 per + 350 books for elementary school students at $15 per = $10,500 (this includes shipping, and GoFundMe's fees).</strong>
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Charles Ancrum

Anonymous

Cynthia Mashburn

Daina Burke

Felicia Rule

Lisa Burke

Yolanda Silva

Carliss Maddox

Kellie Preston

Denise Berg

Pamela Stearne

Arthur Viente

Alice Rico

Willie Brandon

ruzooka rwakishasha

Fred Davis

Mr. Crim provide his books to kids across the US!

Mr. Crim provide his books to kids across the US!

Still $4,266 to go. Help us build momentum.