Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian

Happy New Year Everyone!   This post is dedicated to the life and leadership of Dr. and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inside this newsletter, you will find a heavily curated lesson from PBS , Learning for Justice and illustrations from Jerry Pinkney and written by Barry Wittenstein. And because behind every great man stands an equitably great woman, here's Angela Basset portraying Mrs. Coretta Scott King, and  Mary J. Blige serving impeccably in the role of Dr. Betty Shabazz (my  ΔΣΘ Soror), wife of Malcolm X. Many people forget that by the end of the 60s, both Dr. King and Malcolm X were allies in progressing the plight of Black Americans. In fact, Malcolm X attended the March on Washington in 1963. See the letter beneath the video excerpt.    Letter to Martin Luther King (the Southern Christian Leadership Conference) Malcolm X (text transcribed from the actual letter from Malcolm X : A Research Site) July 31, 1963 MUHAMMAD'S MOSQUE NO. 7  11...

We LOVE our Veterans across the planet! Please check out our podcast "Voices of Veterans!" Thank you to all our Veterans and even though he isn't an educator, my favorite Veteran (Michael Darnell) is that handsome Navy seamen below! :)

According to renowned American historian and linguist Leo Weiner of Harvard University, one of the strongest pieces of evidence to support the fact that Black people sailed to America before Christopher Columbus was a journal entry from Columbus himself. In Weiner’s book, “Africa and the Discovery of America,” he explains that Columbus noted in his journal that the Native Americans confirmed “black skinned people had come from the south-east in boats, trading in gold-tipped spears.” Even the Algonquin tribes had gold-tipped spears made from Egyptian gold and writings of Egyptian cities in their catalog of explorers hidden in the Grand Canyon. According to a number of sources, Abubakari II, Mansa (King) of the Mali Empire in the 14th century, led Malian sailors to the Americas, specifically present-day Brazil, almost 200 years before Columbus arrived, circa 1311 A.D. Malian sailors then continued up the coast of South America into Central America, Mexico and southern portions of wha...

                 After much effort from yours truly, the book-fair is finally here! You can shop online here . Here's the preview video and sign-up list for you to enjoy!                                                            via GIPHY

I have some of the best and most inquisitive students! One young man loves to garden with his father and once my heart stopped fluttering, I directed him to our plants section. I listened to his feedback about needing more garden books and then we talked about my garden. I shared that I am growing jalapenos for my homemade chilli. He boasted about LOVING spicy food. Next thing I know, he demanded a "hot pepper challenge" and brought some friends. I have a weakness for gardens and readers and this kiddo is in a tug-of-war for becoming one of my beloved library kiddos! Check out the fun in the newsletter below and happy fall everyone!

Well, guess who's back in the library? Nothing like the absence of a paycheck to revert you back to your talents and skills! Or maybe, just maybe, I've finally found the leadership and student body that embraces all of me! I think it's the latter, but regardless, if you know me, I've hit the ground running! Check out my newsletter and welcome DIAMONDBACKS to my blog!