WHO: Blacks and Black Families WHAT: B.L.A.C.K. Communities Read - Dr. Carter G.

Woodsons Mis-Education of the Negro for National Literacy Month WHEN: September 2013 WHERE: United States of America and abroad WHY: To Encourage and engage families in the pursuit of learning together and reestablishing our values. The public education system in America often fails to present an accurate, complete and inclusive history of Black people. Therefore, the Black community must study and educate ourselves on matters concerning our heritage, our values and our accomplishments as a culture. We do not have to wait until February to study Blacks in our history. September marks National Literacy Month and we are proposing that the Black community commit to reading one (1) book collectively. We are asking that you purchase The Mis-Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson from a Black owned bookstore locally or online by Saturday, August 30, 2013. During the month of September read the book with a study-group of 3 or more individuals and join in a follow-up discussion on October 12, 2013. Based on the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 90 million Americans read at basic and below basic levels. Additionally, results from 2009 National Center for Education Statistics show that 54 percent of 4th grade and 44 percent of 8th grade African American students scored below the Basic level on the NAEP reading test. We believe coming together collectively to read a thought-provoking book as a community will enrich the fabric of our values by encouraging unity and literacy, providing a platform for dialogue, and engaging the community to be involved with our education and success as Blacks. Dr. Carter G. Woodson is considered the Father of Black History Month. A Ph.D. recipient from Harvard University in 1912, Dr. Woodson used education as his platform to educate his community starting in 1897. In 1915, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Through ASNLH, Woodson initiated the Negro History Week in 1926 as a way to celebrate the accomplishments and educate the general public about Black culture. Negro History Week grew to what we know today as Black History Month. Dr. Woodson was born in 1875 to enslaved parents, but within a single generation he was able to have a positive national and global impact on Black life. His life is an example of how education, literacy, collective work and self-determination can add value to Black life in America for generations to come. Let us banish fear I am ready to act, if I can find brave men to help me. Dr. Carter G. Woodson Sources: DigitialLiteracy.Gov | NCES.Ed.Gov | Census.gov/Compendia/statab/cats/Education.html | CEW.GeorgeTown.Edu | Wikipedia.Org/wiki/Carter_G._Woodson | Study Guide: bit.ly/164hCy2