African American Read-In 2025
19th Read-In Set for Thursday, February 20
For the 19th year, the UNI African American Read-In is part of National African American Read-In activities planned nationwide during Black History Month.
Planning is underway for this virtual event happening on Feb. 20, 2025, for Iowa first graders.
Schools from across Iowa are invited to participate. Questions? Contact Amy Curley at coe-events@uni.edu.
The 2024 read-in drew a record registration of more than 3,100 students: 150 first-grade classrooms in 65 schools across 29 counties.
The Day's Schedule
Thursday, February 20, 2025
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. OR 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (Schools will pick one)
- Magic show with Zeon the Magician
- Readings and activity with Michelle Martin
Draw-along with illustrator Bryan Collier
2024 Creative Animal Drawings
Guest Presenters
Michelle Martin
Michelle H. Martin, PhD, is the Beverly Cleary Endowed Professor in Children and Youth Services in the Information School at the University of Washington. She previously was the inaugural Augusta Baker Endowed Chair in Childhood Literacy at the University of South Carolina. She teaches children’s and young adult literature and youth services courses. She is also a co-founder of the non-profit Camp Read-a-Rama, which uses children’s books as the springboard for year-round and summer camp literacy immersion programming. Martin publishes widely on issues of diversity in children’s literature and reviews dozens of children's books annually.
Bryan Collier
Bryan Collier has won four Caldecott Honors, six Coretta Scott King Awards, and three Coretta Scott King honors. His books include the Coretta Scott King & Ezra Jack Keats Award winner, Uptown, and We Shall Overcome which has earned three starred reviews. He is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling book, our featured book for the event, All Because You Matter.
Special Activities
Free books for young readers
Pending registration and supplies, every first grader participating in the 2025 UNI African American Read-In will receive a copy of "All Because You Matter," written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier. Our thanks to generous sponsors for supporting this effort.
Kaleidoscope Event:
Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad
For $1 per kid you can access a virtual showing of this heart-warming yet comical and courageous story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Your tickets allow access during the week of February 3-10. This is most suitable for students in 3rd-8th grades.
Read more about the performance and order tickets via the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center website here.
A complimentary teacher's guide is available on the website now.
Free books for young readers
Pending registration and supplies, every first grader participating in the 2025 UNI African American Read-In will receive a copy of "All Because You Matter," written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier. Our thanks to generous sponsors for supporting this effort.
Kaleidoscope Event:
Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad
For $1 per kid you can access a virtual showing of this heart-warming yet comical and courageous story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Your tickets allow access during the week of February 3-10. This is most suitable for students in 3rd-8th grades.
Read more about the performance and order tickets via the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center website here.
A complimentary teacher's guide is available on the website now.
Overview
The National African American Read-In is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and endorsed by the International Reading Association.
Thanks to generous donors, we'll provide each child or classroom -- depending on supplies -- a free book to enjoy!
Gloria Kirkland-Holmes, emeritus professor who died in December 2022, originated and led this event from its beginning, starting with a reading to a small group of children in Rod Library. Leading this year's event is Taraneh Matloob Haghanikar, associate professor of literacy education.
If you have questions, contact Amy Curley at coe-events@uni.edu.
