The National African American Read-In (AARI) is a groundbreaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world.
Since its conception in 1990, the African American Read-In has had more than six million global participants.
The Moulin Rouge and Black Rights in Las Vegas by 
Eloquent Rage by 
Moon Witch, Spider King by The format of these events varies widely, but all events have a few things in common:
UNLV will have a panel with Black librarians, Oral Historians, Black-owned bookstore owners, and Community leaders!
In case you want to get prepared to host your own read-in, they also include:
| Poetry Slams | Writing or art-making and the sharing of that by participants | Ongoing community outreach after the event that spreads the love of literacy | |
| Readings by authors | Featured guests such as local leaders or community heroes | Awards of recognition for African American authors within the community | |
| Musical performances, reenactments, or plays | Book drives to collect books by African American authors to share with schools | Writers workshops for aspiring authors | |
| Film screenings including discussions with paired texts | Activities for young children (e.g., bedtime stories) | Publishing panels about how to get started | |
| A common reading in advance of a single text, like a book club | Media coverage to raise the profile of local authors | A spotlight or theme on a particular author |
Want to beef up your reading lists with African American Authors, but don't know where to start? Take a look at these booklist suggestions to get started!
Image courtesy of us.idylllic.app
During the month of February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In. Hosting an event can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.
Would you like to support some Black owned bookstores?
Check out these dope options below!