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The Bronx is Reading Bookstore

Let’s Bring a Children’s Bookstore to the Bronx!

$33,367
pledged of$65,000 goal
317
0Days Left

Project Description

What is the mission of The Bronx is Reading?

The Bronx is Reading promotes literacy and fosters a love of reading, empowering the next generation of readers and writers.

The Bronx is Reading promotes literacy and fosters a love of reading among children, teens, and adults, empowering the next generation of readers and writers.
Our mission is to celebrate literacy by fostering a love of reading among all ages (especially children and teens). Through our multidimensional initiatives including the annual Bronx Book Festival, The Bronx is Reading Literacy Program, monthly book club, and online and pop-up bookstore we serve thousands of people in the Bronx and the tri-state area.

Describe the problem you are solving. 

This vibrant, book-loving community has often been underserved and overlooked

The Bronx is one of New York City's poorest boroughs; this vibrant, book-loving community has often been underserved and overlooked when it comes to bookish programming. There's approximately 1.5 million people living in the Bronx, thousands are children and teens and there is currently no children's bookstore servicing them.

How The Bronx is Reading aims to solve this problem. 

Bringing literacy, programming, events, and authors to the Bronx since 2018

Bring literacy, programming, events, and authors to the Bronx!

As a longtime reader and Bronx resident, our founder understands firsthand what it's like to grow up in an environment where reading and literacy aren’t always visibly promoted or prioritized due to access. The Bronx has a long tradition of producing literary culture and prominent authors like Edgar Allan Poe, James Baldwin, Sonia Manzano, Adam Silvera, Gabby Rivera, Lilliam Rivera, Claudia Rankine, Stan Lee, and so many countless others. 

The power of putting literature into the hands of the community. I want children, teens, and adults who look like me to fall in love with books and to learn about the publishing industry. 

Bronx Authors Black and White Photo with yellow and blue hues

 

Why are we seeking funding and how will we spend the money?

We are seeking funding to expand The Bronx is Reading programming, events and outreach by opening a dedicated physical location where children, teens, and adults of all ages can come and immerse themselves in literature.  Your donation will primarily help us

  • Secure a lease/purchase property for our physical location
  • Pay for any necessary repairs and permits for the venue
  • Store inventory 
  • Hiring local Bronx residents as part-time staff 

Meet Our Founder

Saraciea J Fennell Founder and CEO of The Bronx is Reading

Saraciea J. Fennell is a Black Honduran and the founder of The Bronx is Reading, and the author and editor of WILD TONGUES CAN’T BE TAMED. She is also a book publicist who has worked with many award-winning and New York Times best-selling authors. She is passionate about books and devours anything SFF-related. She was inducted into the The Bronx Times Power Women Hall of Fame in 2020, made the BitchMedia 50 list in 2018, and was included among Remezcla’s 30 Latinxs who made an impact in 2018. Fennell is also the winner of the Children’s Books Council Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award. She lives in the Bronx with her family and dog, Oreo. Visit www.saracieafennell.com for more information and follow her on social @sj_fennell.

Thank You for Your Contribution

The Bronx is Reading greatly appreciates your support to help bring a brick-n-mortar children's and general interest bookstore to the Bronx.  We invite you to follow us on our journey by following us on social media @thebronxisreading and visiting our website www.TheBronxisReading.com for more information. 

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • When will my rewards arrive?
    • Physical rewards (like t-shirts, books, and tote bags) will be shipped after our campaign has ended. We will provide updates when items have shipped and/or if we are experiencing delays.
    • Digital rewards (gift cards, reading list, discount codes, etc) will be sent via email in January 2022. 
  • Can I gift my reward to someone else?
    • Absolutely! We will contact you at the fulfillment stage and you can share who you would like to gift your reward to at that time. 
       
  • Are you looking for brand partnerships or offering brand sponsorship opportunities? 
    • Yes! We're always interested in partnering with brands and organizations that align with our mission and values. Contact us at [email protected]
       
  • How else can I support The Bronx is Reading?
    • Already donated to our campaign? Share it with family and friends and on social media. Spreading awareness about the campaign brings us one step closer to our goal!
  • Do you accept paper checks? 
    • Yes! We accept paper checks via snail mail, checks should be made out to The Bronx is Reading LLC and mailed to The Bronx is Reading, PO Box 670117, Bronx, NY 10451. 
Yenny
08/14/2022
Monetary Contribution
$40
Michael Partis
08/05/2022
Bronx & Bookish
$100
Loan D Le
08/04/2022
Monetary Contribution
$50
Ellie Berger
08/04/2022
Bronx & Bookish
$100
Daniel Theodore
08/03/2022
Bronx & Bookish
$100
Rosemary
08/03/2022
Bronx & Bookish
$100
07/30/2022
Yerrr The Bronx Reads, Periodt.
$500
Beverly Jones
07/29/2022
Bronx & Bookish
$100
Valerie
07/28/2022
Monetary Contribution
$25
Ella Evans-Aguiar
06/11/2022
Bronx & Bookish
$100
100.00 USD
Bronx & Bookish
  • Reading List
  • T-shirt
  • Vote On Name
104 Supporters
Select this reward
Monetary Contribution
Give Any Amount Just Because You Care
200 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Friend of The Bronx is Reading
  • $100 Gift Card to online bookstore
  • T-shirt & Tote bag
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
1 Supporter
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Do It for the Kids
  • 5% off for 2 years
  • Donate 100 paperback books to Title I School 
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Books Are Life
  • 10% off for 2 years
  • Donate 100 hardcover books to a Title I School
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward
25,000.00 USD
Books Bloom in the Bronx
  • 20% off for 2 years
  • Donate 200 paperback books to Title I School
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward
50,000.00 USD
Literary Revolution
  • 30% off for 2 years
  • Donate 500 paperback books to Title I Schools
  • VIP walk through of bookstore before it’s open to the public
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Bronx, NY
Created 1 Campaign
Social Good

Rewards

100.00 USD
Bronx & Bookish
  • Reading List
  • T-shirt
  • Vote On Name
104 Supporters
Select this reward
Monetary Contribution
Give Any Amount Just Because You Care
200 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Friend of The Bronx is Reading
  • $100 Gift Card to online bookstore
  • T-shirt & Tote bag
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
1 Supporter
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Do It for the Kids
  • 5% off for 2 years
  • Donate 100 paperback books to Title I School 
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Books Are Life
  • 10% off for 2 years
  • Donate 100 hardcover books to a Title I School
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward
25,000.00 USD
Books Bloom in the Bronx
  • 20% off for 2 years
  • Donate 200 paperback books to Title I School
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward
50,000.00 USD
Literary Revolution
  • 30% off for 2 years
  • Donate 500 paperback books to Title I Schools
  • VIP walk through of bookstore before it’s open to the public
  • Reading List
  • Vote On Name
0 Supporters
Select this reward