Education Equity Action Plan Coalition Bookmobile Scheduled to Tour the Five Boroughs

Books by author. homeschool mother, and former public school teacher, Naomi Bradley

NEW YORK – May 31, 2023: The Education Equity Action Plan Coalition (EEAPC) announced the launch of its Black Studies: An Education for Me + You bookmobile, which will distribute over 5,000 free books to community members throughout the five boroughs. The bookmobile visits, June 17-25, offer an opportunity to increase awareness and excitement about Black Studies curriculum slated to be introduced to NYC students this fall.

In a study of 16 curricula and more than 1,000 books commonly used from Pre-K to eighth grade, the Coalition for Educational Justice found that 83% were written by white authors – nearly five times more books than all authors of color combined. EEAPC is committed to addressing this inequity by bringing culturally relevant books and learning resources to New York City students. The Coalition’s specially-designed bookmobile will give Pre-K-8th grade students access to age-appropriate books to foster identity, highlight the Black experience and encourage reading and learning.

Dr. Shango A. Blake, CEO of TRU SK Consultants and a thought leader on urban education, commented, “The bookmobile brings Black studies to the people, literally meeting them where they live. It embodies EEAPC’s commitment to engaging with local residents to ensure that Black Studies curriculum is an immersive learning opportunity for all. New York City is now poised to lead the way in Black studies by interweaving it throughout the curriculum for public school students in all grades.

The Black Studies bookmobile is designed to engage students with a preview of curriculum that will be integrated into social studies classes in New York City schools. We believe this preview of Black Studies will foster curiosity and heighten engagement for students and their families, stated Nina Stovel, AVP of Education, United Way of New York City.

At the bookmobile, guests will have an opportunity to interact with a series of vignettes related to the Black experience and engage in interactive activities on an actual school bus. Visitors will receive books from the onsite Black Studies library pop-up to take home for their enjoyment. The free books, available for grade levels from Pre-K-8, will include books from Scholastic’s Culturally Responsive Collection.

The Black Studies: An Education for Me + You bookmobile will be at the following locations:

• Sat. 6/17: York College (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

• Mon. 6/19: 125th Street & 8th Ave, Harlem (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

• Fri. 6/23: Bay Avenue & Victory Blvd., Staten Island (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

• Sat. 6/24: Fordham Rd & Grand Concourse, Bronx (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

• Sun. 6/25: Tompkins Ave between Hancock & Halsey, Brooklyn (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

For more information about the bookmobile and EEAPC visit www.eeapcoalition.org.

About the EEAP Coalition

The EEAPC is charged with developing an interdisciplinary Pre-K-12 Black Studies Curriculum that acknowledges the history and contributions of Black people, beginning before slavery and continuing through the present. The interdisciplinary Pre-K-12 Black Studies curriculum will demonstrate the contribution of ancient Black societies and civilizations and their impact on the modern world. The United Way of New York City (UWNYC), The Black Education Research Collective (BERC), The Eagle Academy Foundation (EAF), The Association of Black Educators of New York (ABENY), Black Edfluencers United (BEU) and The City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC) are the core partners charged with developing and launching the curriculum in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE).