WE ARE HERE!: a Literary Space for ​Black Boys and Young Black Men

WE ARE HERE!

The mission of WE ARE HERE is to increase the appreciation and self-efficacy for literacy among Black boys and young men so they embody the type of self-belief and motivation to expand their perspectives about personal, educational, and career aspirations.

  1. 04/02/2024

    We Are Here Lit!: with Dawud Anyabwile, Award-Winning Artist & Illustrator

    Dawud Anyabwile is a renowned comic book artist and illustrator known for his dynamic and culturally resonant work. With a distinctive style that blends realism and fluidity, Anyabwile has made significant contributions to the world of graphic storytelling. He gained widespread acclaim for his collaboration with his brother, Guy A. Sims, on the groundbreaking graphic novel series "Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline." Anyabwile's artistry captivates readers and serves as a powerful vehicle for social commentary and representation. Through his creative endeavors, Anyabwile inspires and influences aspiring artists while leaving an indelible mark on the comic book industry. We Are Lit talks to Anyabwile about visual literacy.

    We Are Here Lit!: with Dawud Anyabwile, Award-Winning Artist & Illustrator

  2. 04/02/2024

    From the Pitch to the Pages: Channing Chasten:'s Journey to Inspire Young Minds

    Channing Chasten, a professional footballer, shared his love for reading and how his mother encouraged him. He discussed his journey as a multisport athlete, including soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and track, and how his desire to stand out influenced his decision to pursue soccer. channing also shared his experiences balancing soccer and academics, playing soccer at Ohio State, and transitioning to professional soccer in Arizona. He also revealed his enjoyment of writing since childhood and his recent achievement as an author. Finally, Channing expressed his plans to start a foundation for underprivileged children to participate in organized soccer clubs, his nonprofit work, and his motivational content on social media.

    From the Pitch to the Pages: Channing Chasten:'s Journey to Inspire Young Minds

  3. 06/28/2022

    Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana

    Knowledge Reigns Supreme Join us this Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana and let's talk about 'Leveraging MC Dreams Towards Literacy'. Black culture encapsulates a colorful oral tradition that can be seen in the West African tradition of the Griot, the Black Arts Movement, to today's Hip Hop Generation, as recently seen in Kendrick's Mr. Morale & the Big Stepper. We have continually seen the 'Us vs. Them' Hip Hop history debates. How can we better create The Bridge to work collectively to create intergenerational ties to Black oral and written stories and literary traditions to build strong young black male communicators of The Message? Bring your thoughts, opinions, pedagogy, scholarship, and questions as we discuss our music and literary history to build our young Black Brotha's voices.

    Black Music Month with special guest Bakari Kitwana

  4. 06/08/2022

    We Are Here Lit! Interviews Author & Researcher Dr. Alfred Tatum

    Join us as we talk about his latest publication: Teaching Black Boys in the Elementary Grades: Advanced Disciplinary Reading and Writing to Secure Their Futures, growing up in Chicago,  his reading habits, the influence of public libraries, and much more!

    We Are Here Lit! Interviews Author & Researcher Dr. Alfred Tatum

  5. 04/22/2022

    Author & Educator Desmond Williams

    The Burning House: Educating Black Boys in Modern America by Desmond Williams Join us as we speak to Educator & Author Desmond Williams and discuss literacy, being an administrator, and deconstructing the educational system, and what it takes to get young Black males to succeed.

    Author & Educator Desmond Williams

  6. 04/02/2022

    We Are Here Lit! interviews Award-Winning Author Carole Boston Weatherford in honor of Women's History Month!

    We will celebrate her space in children's literature as an author who has given voice to Black historical people and places for all to learn. We also learn about her influence on her son Jeffery who is a Poet, MC, and Illustrator.

    We Are Here Lit! interviews Award-Winning Author Carole Boston Weatherford in honor of Women's History Month!

  7. 01/15/2022

    We Are Here Lit! interviews Dr Nathaniel Bryan

    Join We Are Here Lit! as we talk to Dr. Nathaniel Bryan and his new book Toward a BlackBoyCrit Pedagogy: Black Boys, Male Teachers, and Early Childhood Classroom Practices. We also discuss Dr. Bryan's educational and literacy journey, supporting educators, what is BlackBoyCrit, Black boys & sports, homeschooling, and much more.

    We Are Here Lit! interviews Dr Nathaniel Bryan

  8. 12/04/2021

    Dr Guy A. Sims

    Dr. Guy Sims, Philly native,  co-creator of the critically acclaimed Brotherman comics books takes time to share his story with us! He is a frequent collaborator with his brother, illustrator Dawud Anyabwile. He adapted Walter Dean Myers' book Monster into a graphic novel which Mr. Anyabwile illustrated. Dr. Sims discusses, the role literacy played in his life, writing, the story behind Brotherman comics, retelling Monster for a new generation, and much more...

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The mission of WE ARE HERE is to increase the appreciation and self-efficacy for literacy among Black boys and young men so they embody the type of self-belief and motivation to expand their perspectives about personal, educational, and career aspirations.

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