Literature for All of Us

06/15/2021

Friends and supporters, today we have sad news. The overwhelming impact of COVID-19 on our programming and fundraising has made this an exceptionally difficult year for Literature for All of Us. While staff, supporters, and board members have worked tirelessly to keep the organization on course, we have determined that we must take an extended pause on programming at this time and—with great sadness—to lay off most staff. We thank them deeply for their fortitude and commitment during this very hard time.

As we assess our future, the organization will continue to function at limited capacity but will not be running the majority of our beloved book groups for the immediate future. We’ll share updates as we have them and extend our gratitude to everyone for their support and enthusiasm for so long.

To our supporters who have been there year-after-year--donors, partners, alums, and friends--we are so grateful for your abiding faith in this mission. We will reconnect after the pause with our next steps, and look forward to reengaging.

If you have questions or would like to discuss our path forward, please reach out to Board President, Julie Victor ([email protected]) or Board Vice-President, Newlin Wollaston ([email protected]). For all other inquiries, please email [email protected].

With gratitude,

The Board of Directors of Literature for All of Us

04/30/2021

🚨 Positions are now open for new Directors of our Board for the 2021-2022 fiscal year! 👀

Please share the link below with your friends and networks. We're looking for candidates who possess the following:

☑️ A passion for our mission

☑️ A connection to education, arts, non-profit
organizations management, trauma-informed work, or social justice work

☑️ A desire to work to help advance and grow our work

☑️ A capacity for flexible thinking and comfort with a collaborative work style

And a few more qualities...

Deadline is May 14. Full details and more:
https://www.literatureforallofus.org/2021/04/29/boardsearch/

04/30/2021

Following up on the last post about Tupac Shakur's "The Rose that Grew from Concrete", hit PLAY below to hear "My Little Corner of the World," written by book group participant Ismael and inspired by Tupac's poetry, and his song "Thugz Mansion".

04/30/2021

🔊 SOUND ON to hear the reading

For , I (Book Group Leader Gaby Garay) wanted to highlight a book I enjoy reading with youth every year, The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur.

This book is a classic simply because of Tupac's ability to connect with people of all ages through his vulnerability, truths and honesty! Reading this book with young people always sparks conversations about masculinity, politics, empathy, community and the power of using our words for good.

Tupac's Mom was a member of the Black Panther Party which influenced his political views and can be seen throughout his poems. When he was 14 years old, his mom moved family from New York to Baltimore, Maryland where Tupac enrolled at the Baltimore School of Arts to study he study, acting, poetry, jazz, and ballet and began to become known for his rapping skills. He wrote these poems between the ages of 18-21, which is close to the age of many of our participants!

Through reading Tupac's poems we challenge participants to think about rap and poetry in new ways - and both as powerful tool that can be used to imagine new possibilities and share your voice. In another post, we'll share SWIPE youth-written poetry inspired by Tupac's poems and his song "Thugz Mansion."

Tune in tomorrow for the last day of National Poetry month, also known as . We'll be sharing some with you all!

04/28/2021

In today's video, Book Group Leader haydee kicked off this week's series with the poem 'alternate names for black boys' by Danez Smith, and talked about:

- how poetry can honor the ones we've lost
- our systems of inequality and police brutality
- finding joy in claiming ourselves honestly & openly

Listen here ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/tv/COOJ_PIHsJa/

04/28/2021

Hello! In honor of , we're bringing back last year's !

Starting TODAY, our Book Group Leaders will be reading and reflecting on their favorite poems - and originals - over on . Grab a beverage and tune in at 4pm CST for the rest of the week.

Watch the first video now: https://www.instagram.com/tv/COOJ_PIHsJa/

04/09/2021

Do you know any young folks who are looking for internships this summer? Check out these *paid* opportunities with One Summer Chicago! Applications are open now.

Application is open for One Summer Chicago 2021 program! Deadline is June 11th!

Apply at www.onesummerchicago.org today!

03/13/2021

Last call! Tonight's the night to celebrate Sandra Cisneros, and her incredible body of work, with Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. You can still RSVP (registration has already exceeded 1000 attendees!) Grab your spot: https://eventbrite.com/e/fuller-award-sandra-cisneros-tickets-141451785097

ALSO, if you are unable to access the Zoom link, you'll be prompted to watch the tribute on YouTube Live here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=XwFWVQIocpc

See you tonight!

Renowned writer Sandra Cisneros receives the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame's Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.

03/11/2021

Two days! This will be a special night. Have you RSVP'd yet?

Renowned writer Sandra Cisneros receives the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame's Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.

03/05/2021

Reminder to book your spot for Sandra Cisneros's Fuller Award ceremony on Saturday March 13, hosted by Chicago Literary Hall of Fame!

Sandra's books, short stories, and poems have long been an inspiration and a focal point for LFAOU book groups. We've been so fortunate to have her as a supporter and collaborator over the years, including as a member of our Writers Council and keynote speaker at our fabulous "Honor Thy Mother" benefit in 2017.

Now we're thrilled to have a chance to celebrate Sandra!
Join us with 826CHI, Chicago Public Library, and many others next Saturday evening. You can read more about the event here: https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/blog/entry/fuller-award-program.

Register now (free!): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fuller-award-sandra-cisneros-tickets-141451785097

Renowned writer Sandra Cisneros receives the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame's Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.

02/25/2021

Big news: We're honored to be part of this upcoming tribute to the one and only Sandra Cisneros!

On March 13th, Sandra will receive the Fuller Award for her lifetime contribution to literature, presented by Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, in partnership with Chicago Public Library, American Writers Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, and many others luminaries of Chicago's literary and arts scenes.

The virtual event is *free* with registration. Please RSVP at the link below.

Renowned writer Sandra Cisneros receives the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame's Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.

02/19/2021

Good morning! Read all about our alumni Jerusalem's new song and his latest achievements in the Evanston RoundTable article below. (Thanks for the mention!)

And check out the song if you haven't yet, now streaming everywhere: ▶️ bit.ly/3a8Md5K

https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/02/18/fight-fa-artist-jervsalem-singleton-stakes-out-his-identity-in-new-release

Education for Jerusalem Singleton was always a dual path: academics and artistry. From singing – in the New Hope C.M.E. Church choir, which he also