Black Authors Calendar
Black Authors Calendar
Students deserve the opportunity to see themselves (mirrors) and to learn about others (windows) in their reading, and to be able to explore others’ worlds (sliding glass doors), as described by Professor Emerita Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. In this spirit, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has launched a calendar of Black authors and their works in conjunction with the celebration in February of Black History Month.
Each school day during the month of February, the calendar will highlight a literary work from a Black author. Submitted by Michigan teachers of the year, Michigan regional teachers of the year, and MDE educators, each literary work will include the way or ways that educators can use the work with students. Additionally, each weekend, the calendar will feature a selection from a Michigan student along with a description of how the student related to the book as a “mirror” or “window.” I encourage educators to review the calendar and consider these literary works for incorporation into their lessons and units.
One of the most important ways to improve student literacy, the second goal in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, is to increase student engagement with literature. Student engagement with literature increases, in part, as students see themselves in their literature. By raising the consciousness of great Black authors and their works, by educators for educators, we seek to create conditions for greater engagement with literature among Michigan students and by extension higher reading levels.
If you have questions about the Black authors calendar, or questions about any MDE efforts to improve literacy, please feel free to contact our team at MDEDiversityinLit@michigan.gov.
Michael F. Rice, Ph.D.
State Superintendent