1st Annual "Freedom to Learn" Book Drive

 The book drive initiative aligns with NCNW National Programs which are grounded on a foundation of critical concerns known as our "Core4 Policy Priorities": Healthcare, Education, Economic Empowerment and Social Justice. Our goal is to encourage children of all ages to read books by Black Authors and Black Illustrators. 

The St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section's "Freedom to Learn" Annual Book Drive Committee Chair and Florida State Vice President, Gwendolyn Fields, and the Committee Members, Thelma Bruce, SPMS 1st Vice President, Tamaira Heyward, Cynthia Jenkins, Georgia Thomas and Renee Waymon have worked diligently in planning this statewide initiative. The committee extends a heartfelt thank you to the Officers and Members for funding this project through the Section's Programs Budget. We would also like to thank the Members who participated in the vote for the book drive recipients. 

A total of 126 books will be donated to the following five community organizations/businesses as a result of the vote. You may click here for a list of the books. 

Daycare Center Category: (Two Daycare Centers will receive donations)

• Happy Worker's R-Club Early Learning Center
• Kidz World Pre-School (Owner/Director: Arthurene Williams)
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Elementary School Category: 

• Infinite Potential Learning Academy(Owner/Director: Twanna Monroe)
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Middle School Category: 

• Boys and Girls Club - Royal Theater( Director: Nyanna Dixon)
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High School Category:

• ASALH - Association for the Study of African American Life and History(President: Attorney Jacqueline Hubbard)
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All Section Members are invited to attend the book drive presentations. The presentations are scheduled as follows: 

• ASALH presentation will be held Thursday, April 18th, 6pm, at St. Augustine Episcopal Church, 2920 26th Avenue South. 
• The date(s) for the presentations to the Daycare Centers, Elementary and Middle School Categories will be shared with the Section Members at a later date. 
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Please feel free to contact the members of the Book Drive Committee with any questions you may have. 

Thank you President Robinson, Officers, Section Members, and the Inaugural "Freedom to Learn" Book Drive Committee for your unwavering commitment to this Program. 

Yours in Service, 
Gwendolyn FieldsVice President, Florida State Coalition of NCNW, Inc. 

National Compliance Team Member

Chair, State Programs Committee