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Stories That Look Like Me: Inspiring 400 Young Heroes

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<div><strong><em>Every child deserves to open a book and see themselves as the hero.</em></strong>
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<div>At the <strong>When I See Me™ Children’s Book Fair</strong>, we make that vision a reality. Each year, we gather diverse authors, families, and children in Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate stories that reflect every face and culture. Thanks to supporters like you, <strong>every child leaves with a book of their choice—free of charge.</strong>
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<div>Hello, I’m Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, founder of the When I See Me™, author, publisher, and advocate for representation in children’s literature.
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<div>I know what it feels like to search the pages of a book and not see anyone who looks like you — to feel invisible in stories meant to inspire. That memory fuels my mission today:
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<div>✨ Every child deserves to see themselves as the hero of their own story.
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<div><strong>The Vision</strong>
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<div>When I See Me™ creates joyful, high-impact book fairs that put free, culturally relevant books directly into the hands of children who need them most.
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<div>Our goal for 2026 is simple and powerful:
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<div>Raise $4,000 to give 400 children a book they can see themselves in.
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<div><strong>What Your Support Makes Possible</strong>
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<div>Your donation helps us:
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<li>Purchase 400 books by BIPOC authors featuring diverse, uplifting characters
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<li>Create A Book in Every Bag literacy kits (a book, journal, and multicultural crayons for each child)
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<li>Bring authors and illustrators into schools to read and inspire young minds
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<li>Expand to new schools and community centers in underserved neighborhoods
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<div>Every dollar brings us closer to a world where children don’t just read stories—they believe in their power to write their own.
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<div><strong>Impact in Action</strong>
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<div>In past years, donors helped us:
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<li>Provide 1,000 children with books of their choice
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<li>Partner with Dayton Public Schools, community organizations, and volunteers
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<li>Fill little hands with big dreams through events full of joy, learning, and belonging
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<div>Now, we’re growing that dream. With your help, 2026 will be our most impactful year yet.
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<div><strong>How Your Gift Helps</strong>
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<div>$10 = One child leaves with a culturally relevant book
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<div>$25 = Two children receive full “A Book in Every Bag” kits
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<div>$500 = Sponsors an entire classroom
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<div>$1,000 = Brings the fair to a new school or center
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<div>Every gift matters. Every story matters. Every child matters.
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<div><strong>Join the Movement</strong>
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<div>Please help us raise $4,000 to ensure that every child we serve this year walks away with a story that looks like them.
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<div>Donate. Share. Believe.
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<div>Because when children see themselves in books, they see what’s possible in life.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>Valerie J. Lewis Coleman
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<div>Founder, When I See Me™
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<div>Dayton, Ohio
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<div><a href="https://wheniseeme.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WhenISeeMe</a>
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