On Thursday, Feb. 22, the 12th Annual African American Read-In will be taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Maucker Union and Rod Library on UNI’s campus. This event will be featuring guests Don Tate and Tiffany Flowers.

“The importance is exposing children and adults to African-American authors and illustrators who have been left out of the literature for so long — to let the children know, that even though they may have not seen many of the works, that there are African-American authors and illustrators who have been significant contributors,” said Gloria Kirkland Holmes, an associate professor in early childhood education.

According to the African-American Read-In brochure, the goal of this program is to celebrate African-American literacy during Black History Month.

Additionally, the brochure states that more than one million readers from all races and ethnic groups participate in the National American Read-In each year.

Holmes went on to state that everyone is going to be shocked with the number of first graders, and that they estimate nearly 850 first graders are going to attend the event. Previously, according to the Read-In’s brochure, there were 700 first graders, and 1,250 total participants.

According to Holmes, the Multicultural Teaching Alliance (MTA) at UNI has been at the forefront since the beginning of the Read-In. Students help out with all the activities featured during the Read-In, including reading to individual and small groups. Other activities at the event will include drumming, hair braiding activities and African-American dance.

Holmes went on to speak about Don Tate, one of the visiting authors at the Read-In.

“[Tate’s] works are outstanding,” Holmes said. “His illustrations and the information that his books bring to children will be extremely valuable.”

According to the UNI’s website, Tate is an award-winning author and the illustrator of many children books, including “The Cart Carried That Martian,” “Hope’s Gift,” “Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite” and “Big Ron’s Mission.”

Tate is the first two-time winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for writing “It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started To Draw” and “Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton.”

Tate’s latest novels include “Strong As Sandow: Eugen Sandow Became the Strongest Man on Earth” and “Stalebread Charlie and the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band.”

According to the UNI’s website, Tiffany Flowers, the other featured author in the Read- In, has completed a Master of Arts degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education and a Doctorate in Philosophy degree in Language, Literacy and Culture from the University of Iowa.

Flowers is the co-author of many academic articles, including focus areas of literacy, education and literature. Flowers has published over 16 children’s books, including: “For Those Who Stare at the Moon,” “Patterns Everywhere: An Upside Down Pattern Book,” “The Rooftop Club Book Series,” “The Guardians of History Book Series” and “Nadi: The Time Traveler.” 

Maxine Davis, director of Instructional Resources and Technology Services, spoke about what it takes to plan the African American Read-In, stressing collaboration overall.

“It’s a collaborative effort between the university and [the] community,” Davis said.