Local Author reads to students and families to celebrate Black History Month | Events

Local author and historian Wallace Yvonne Tollette will be joining Gilpin Montessori Public School on Thursday, Feb. 23 to read aloud to students and families. The elementary school is hosting a read-in to celebrate Black History Month – to recognize the contributions of African American authors to American literature and focus on the enjoyment of reading for fun. 

The event is being coordinated by several community members invested in the success of the school along with Gilpin’s Montessori Coordinator, Marcellina Otii, and is inspired by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), which urges communities to facilitate annual African American literature read-in events during Black History Month.

Tollette, a former teacher, has written two books and is the former executive director of the Black American West Museum in Denver.

“We are joining a nationwide reading celebration of African American authors,” says Otii. “It’s important to expose our children to different American authors so that they can experience the diversity of our country’s cultures.”

The event will take place from 5 – 7 p.m. at the school and will include a healthy dinner, with soup generously donated by neighborhood café Coffee at The Point.

“The community appreciates and supports the work that the entire faculty, staff and leadership do to educate all of our children,” says Earnestine Parker, one of the event organizers. “It is such a joy for all of us to have this opportunity to work with Gilpin Montessori Public School.” 

Gilpin Montessori enrolls a diverse population of students from age three through fifth grade. It is located at 2949 California St. in the Five Points neighborhood of downtown Denver.

For more information about the annual NCTE read-ins, please visit www.ncte.org For more information about Gilpin Montessori Public School, please go to http://gilpin.dpsk12.org

Press Release