NEA's Read Across America and Little Free Library Celebrate Hip-Hop and Diverse Books

NEA's Read Across America (RAA) and Little Free Library partnered at NEA's 2024 Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly in Philadelphia with an exciting display of custom designed Little Free Library boxes.

Visual artists Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez, Cey Adams, and Cita Sadeli, also known as "Miss Chelove," designed the boxes to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop and the impact it has made on the culture, the arts, and our communities.

De la Soul Little Free Library Box

Since its inception, hip-hop has been a force for social change.

The genre hasprovided a platform for artists to address issues like racism, inequality, and systemic injustice. From Public Enemy's politically charged lyrics to Kendrick Lamar's introspective storytelling, hip-hop has been a powerful tool for advocacy and activism.

The artists' boxes highlight the cultural contributions of music Icons De La Soul, Salt & Pepa, and Slick Rick.

They illustrate joy, music, the importance of having access to diverse books, and the freedom to read in contrast to book bans and mistrust of public education and libraries across our country. 

Artist Marka27 said he discovered amazing artists through their artwork, but that he only learned why they created masterpieces through reading about it.

"Reading brings the viewer even closer to art," he said.

Salt-n-Pepa Little Free Library Box

Delegates visiting the pop-up display of Little Free Library enjoyed giveaways, Little Free Library maps, a signup to sponsor a library in their community, and the re-introduction of the RAA Recommended Book List Poster for 2024 - 2025.

NEA's Read Across Americaand the Little Free Library pop-up booth is part of the ongoing partnership with NEA and Little Free Libraryto bring diverse books to educators and their students.

"With book access at the heart of Little Free Library's mission, we are proud to work alongside the NEA, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop," said Little Free Library Executive Director Greig Metzger. "Little Free Library believes that everyone should be able to find a personally relevant book, no matter where they live, who their parents are, or who they love. Book bans are not only an anathema to Little Free Library's beliefs,

Slick Rick Little Free Library Box

but we have seen how these bans silence authors with diverse viewpoints. Book bans eliminate the freedom for readers to see themselves in the books they read."

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-sharing boxes.

There are more than 180,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide in all 50 states, in 121 countries and on all seven continents. The organization grants Little Free Libraries full of books to underserved areas through its Impact Library and Indigenous Library programs and champions diverse books through its Read in Color initiative.

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