The Brown Bookshelf’s Don Tate talks with Amy Bowllan about the impact of racism on him, his work and more in School Library Journal’s ongoing (and excellent) Writers Against Racism series.
Quotable to live by: “Were human, and were not always comfortable with what we don’t know.”
The Brown Bookshelf is designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers. Our flagship initiative of is 28 Days Later, a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade and Young Adult novels written and illustrated by African Americans.
You can read more about the founders of The Brown Bookshelf here.
Flipping the Script by Paula Chase Hyman
Saving Maddie by Varian Johnson
It Jes' Happened by Don
Tate,
Hope's Gift by Kelly Starling Lyons, Don
Tate,
Ellen's Broom, Written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Eighth-Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood by Tameka Fryer Brown
The Pet Wash, Written by Gwendolyn Hooks
How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba Sized Trophy, Written by Crystal Allen
Check out more of our books here.
Racism played a large role in my path to become an artist. In many ways my talents were nurtured early on by it. So I definitely understand and can relate to how much it affects us as a community. So, Bravo to Mr. Tate for telling his story and how he was able to overcome those obstacles to become an inspiration for other African American artist’s like myself.
-Wilson