CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Nearly 3,500 first-graders from 73 schools in public and private school districts across Iowa will join the 19th African American Read-In hosted by University of Northern Iowa College of Education as a free, virtual event on Thursday, Feb. 20. 

This event focuses on African American authors, illustrators and children’s literature and includes a read-along and draw-along with guest presenters during a one-hour morning or afternoon time slot. They include: 

• Michelle H. Martin, PhD, Beverly Cleary Endowed Professor in Children and Youth Services in the Information School at the University of Washington and co-founder of the nonprofit Camp Read-a-Rama which offers year-round and summer camp literacy immersion programming.  
• Bryan Collier, illustrator, who 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.” 

Zeon the Magician will lead off the read-in with a short, live magic show streamed to all classrooms. Martin will read "All Because You Matter," a New York Times bestselling book written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Collier. All students registered by January 24 will receive a free copy of the book with support of the college and donors. 

Registration includes first graders from 169 school classrooms in 26 Iowa counties. Among the districts and communities participating are Ames, Ankeny, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Cedar Rapids, Danville, Davenport, Decorah, Denver, Des Moines, Dike-New Hartford, Dubuque, Dunkerton, Evansdale, Fort Dodge, Hudson, Independence, Jesup, Johnston, Manchester, Mason City, Moville, New Hampton, Oelwein, Osage, Ossian, Ottumwa, Peosta, Radcliffe, Sioux City, Spencer, Storm Lake, Tabor, Tama, Union-La Porte City, Waterloo, Waukee and Waverly. 

The read-in was first organized by Gloria Kirkland Holmes, PhD, a UNI emerita early education professor, who passed away in December 2022. Taraneh Matloob Haghanikar, associate professor of literacy education, now coordinates the event. 

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 Literacy Association.  Questions regarding the event can be directed to Amy Curley, coe-events@uni.edu.