Community Read inspires Charlotte to do more

As we head into the final week of Community Read, the enthusiasm and open-mindedness people are showing during the discussions and programs are inspiring. We hope everyone in Charlotte will be touched in some way by Community Read. With only eight days left, there is still time for you to make an impact. There are more programs and events scheduled at Library locations and with community partners. 

So, what’s the newest buzz with Community Read since last week? The lineup of events was truly amazing with intense and inspiring moments. 

Week 3 kicked it up another notch when famed author Angie Thomas inspired more than 600 guests to find their voices and pursue their inner activism during her appearance at the Dale F. Halton Theater at Central Piedmont Community College on March 19, 2019. A diverse group came prepared with questions for Angie Thomas and her book, The Hate U Give. The energy in the room was electrifying and afterwards, fans lined up to have their books signed and photos taken with Angie. The major takeaway from the evening was that “empathy is the key [to fighting] equality and equity.”  Erika Dunlap from sponsor Bank of America opened the evening and Chief Kerr Putney of CMPD provided closing remarks. Also, supporting sponsors Foundation for the Carolinas and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation were in attendance with other community partners. It was an inspirational evening!

Then, On Wednesday, March 20, Dana Eure of the Library, along with the Reverend Frances Cook-Mahood of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, appeared on Charlotte Today WCNC to discuss how Community Read is bringing the community together through reading and discussing The Hate U Give. Dana reiterated the importance of getting people engaged and talking about the book as a means to have a stronger community. Reverend Cook-Mahood said, “We knew we wanted to partner with the Library and have officers present at dialogues about the book.”

The discussion continued with WSOC-TV when the station highlighted the upcoming visit of children's book author Matt de la Peña to discuss his Community Read title Love. This event is scheduled for March 28, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, The Wells Fargo Playhouse. He will also make a special appearance earlier that day at the StoryWalk in Seversville Park where his book is featured. 

Open Books. Open Minds.

Don’t miss out on the discussions and programs during this final week of Community Read 2019. Pledge online to participate, attend a program and let your voice be heard. For the next few days only, download an audiobook or e-book of The Hate U Give for no-wait during the remainder of March. Find a complete calendar listing here.

Here is a list of just some of the events going on around Charlotte during week 4 of Community Read 2019:

 

Adults and Teens: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Community Read: Adult Book Club The Hate U Give

Monday, March 25, 2019 – 11 a.m. at Scaleybark Library

Join us on as we discuss The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. New members welcome! Learn more 

Community Read: Sole Food

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 – 2:30 p.m. at Independence Regional Library

Join Professor Jemayne King as he shares small bites from his English course "Sole Food: Digestible Sneaker Culture." The course addresses societal ills, life and identity within the sneaker culture. Learn more 

Community Read: Community Dialogue

Wednesday, March 27, 2019 – 2:30 p.m. at Matthews Library

Join Community Resource and Public Information Officer, Tim Aycock from the Matthews Police Department, for a discussion about police-community relations. Learn more 

Community Read: College and Career Connections: Alvin Jacobs and Braxton Winston

Wednesday, March 27, 2019 – 5:30 p.m. at Hickory Grove Library  

Teens, meet photographer Alvin C. Jacobs Jr. and Councilman Braxton Winston. Learn how they have used their career paths to effect change through activism. This program is designed to help you figure out your next step to successfully plan for your future. Meet African Americans from various professions. Hear their stories and learn about their career and educational paths. Learn more 

Community Read: Deconstructing Systems Workshop

Wednesday, March 27, 2019 – 6 p.m. at West Boulevard Library

Sunday, March 31, 2019 – 2 p.m. at Main Library

Join Patrice Funderburg of Educate To Engage, LLC, for this 2-hour interactive session focused on relevant themes in our Community Read title, The Hate U Give. Using a self to systems approach, this workshop will localize the themes of the book into actionable take-aways related to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Report. Learn more 

Community Read: Graffiti - Art of Vandalism

Saturday, March 30, 2019 – 2 p.m. at Beatties Ford Road Regional Library

In The Hate U Give, graffiti is found on the Rose Park basketball courts and on the walls and broken-down cars in the Cedar Park Projects. Learn about art in public places and in streets, which is often seen as graffiti by society but can also be used a tool for mass communication and can influence a generation and positively affect our communities and schools. Create your own personalized graffiti. Learn more 

Spoken Word Poetry Workshop

Saturday, March 30, 2019 – 2:30 p.m. at Main Library, Dowd Foundation Learning Studio

Join Spoken Word poetry coach Jah Smalls to find your voice, both in writing, editing and performing your poetry. This workshop is open to teens and adults, no experience is necessary. Attendance at both sessions is recommended.  Learn more 

Middle Grades: Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Community Read: Drop-in Wishtree Activity

Sunday, March 24, 2019 – All day and every day at Morrison Regional

Come write a wish to put on our wish tree! We will collect all the wishes to create an art piece at the end of March. Learn more

Children: Love by Matt de la Peña 

Community Read: The Love Scavenger Hunt

Monday, March 25, 2019 – All day and every day at Myers Park

Drop in and participate in our special literacy scavenger hunt activity inspired the children's picture book Love by Matt de la Peña. Complete this activity and receive a prize! Learn more

Community Read: Matt de la Pena Visits StoryWalk

Thursday, March 28, 2019 – 10 a.m. at Seversville Park, 530 S. Bruns Ave, Charlotte, NC

Join us for StoryWalk at Seversville Park on March 28 as we celebrate Love. As part of Community Read, Matt de la Peña will make a special appearance as a prequel to his visit at ImaginOn. Click here for more information. Learn more

Community Read: Matt de la Peña Visit

Thursday, March 28, 2019 – 7 p.m. at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, The Wells Fargo Playhouse

Meet Matt de la Peña, the New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of six young adult novels and four picture books. He will be visiting ImaginOn as part of our Community Read 2019 celebration. Presentation by Matt to begin at 7 p.m. in Wells Fargo Playhouse with book signing to follow. Learn more

Community Read Family Storytime: Love

Saturday, March 30, 2019 – 10:30 a.m. at Spangler Library at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center

Bring your whole family out to enjoy stories, songs, and movement activities that support early literacy skill development and help foster a love of books and reading in your child. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate. Learn more

Community Read: Story Explorers: Love

Saturday, March 30, 2019 – 2 p.m. at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, The Round

Explore books and stories in creative ways through interactive activities including math, science, games, and more! In this Community Read based program, we'll explore the book Love by Matt de la Pena, then use image theatre and pantomime to deepen the book discussion. Learn more

Community Read 2019 is not over yet. There are still books to read, events to attend and more opportunities to get inspired and make an impact in your community.