My Voice Is My Truth, A Safe Space

The Problem, Approach, and Impact

Censorship, opportunity, and access have been the three terms that wrap up what KCALP's vision, goals,

and the reasons why we exist. The censoring and erasure of black voices have done major damage to

the progress and healing in the Black Community. Social media constantly blocks users who promote a

certain injustice hashtag or posts that uplift or empower the black community. This comes many forms,

the types of books that get picked up by major publishers, having your voice muted when speaking one

own's truth, the type of art that gets pushed, and other forms. If knowledge and ideas are not being

shared, then it is challenging to learn from or be empowered. This causes a lack of opportunities when it

comes to education, jobs, healthcare, etc. The opportunities that are being pushed do not represent

BIPOCS or are made with them in mind. That leads to the access for BIPOCS to have a seat at the table,

which is far and very few.

Constantly I see the inequity for progress in literacy which leads to so many amazing opportunities that will uplift individuals, families, community, and the world. A bookstore doesn't seem too life-changing but when you think about the past when slaves were forbidden to read and write because they knew that when you possessed those skills, the people will rise up and be great. But now this nonprofit bookstore will highlight Black voices and those that have been marginalized. This bookstore will be a launchpad for authors, creatives who are not able to get in big box stores and provide a community gathering space for programs, workshops, art classes, literacy classes, training, and more.

The world knows this is an issue, for example, Target just stated that they will spend more than $2 billion

with Black-owned businesses by 2025 and the same with other Big Businesses. A 2017 report by NAEP

stated 18% of Black 8th graders reach reading “proficiency.” And in 2015 NAEP found that only 17% of

Black 12th graders were proficient at reading. The problems will continue to worsen if we do not work on the root issue.

The Innovative Approach

There is a constant cycle when it comes to injustice and inequity as it pertains to literacy and children of color. The school-to-prison pipeline demonstrates that. Third graders who do not read at grade level is said to determine their future, ultimately prison or other oppressed systems. So why aren't kids reading? One reason is that parents without access do not know how to provide opportunities to elevate their children's learning. Teachers said kids loved to read but then were forced to read for tests rather than pleasure. The material that is being presented is not culturally relevant which does more harm. Positive representation matters. Kindred Creatives will be a bookstore featuring Black authors, artists, and other prolific thinkers that come together in a positive gathering space. Children and adults will be immersed with stories, opportunities, tutoring, and creating from sources that look like them and speak a common language.

Exposure expands minds. KCALP is creating a new cycle where art and literacy flow through workshops, events, tutoring, internships, leadership development programs, publishing, and more. Imagine children being able to speak to the authors that are on the shelves, to be able to be published in a press with their written works and art, and be able to tap into an industry that allows them to be seen and heard in a creative way. Arts and humanities cultivate humans rather than robots.

Empowering young people to find new words and understanding who they are will create leaders that change the world. Having the bookstore 60% self-published will have opportunities to teach classes and have book signings in the same space where children will access literacy and art, showing them that this is tangible and they too can read, write, and create with the positive representation of people that are using their voices for change.

Nonprofit Bookstore & Makers Market Collective- Those that are part of the collective will have these

benefits: Social media promotions and features, No extra fees for shipping, and we will ship from the

store, Be part of the online market, Host a 4-hour event every other month (opportunities for more),

Author Signing, be part of the monthly Pop-Up Shop, Host a Class, And more. Many authors and creatives do not know how to get their products on shelves and only have an online presence. Being in a physical location will build awareness and give multiple ways for success in their endeavors.

Maker's Space- Creating is healing and the black community needs every opportunity for healing. The

maker's space provides arts and crafts, projects, therapeutic expressive workshops that encourage

community, collaboration, and healing. Creatives can come and teach classes to community members as well.

Literacy Programs-Although mostly geared to school-aged children we have a passion to empower adults as well. Being a space for learning and access we provide tutoring, leadership programs, internships with high school and college students. We will partner with other organizations to provide financial, health, and other areas of interest to help provide access and opportunity.

Small Press- In alignment with literacy and art, this press provides opportunities for new and old

creatives to put their works in publication. Those that put their works in it get a free printed issue and

online, they then can purchase them at cost and sell them on their own. The public will be able to

purchase these printed publications and the small profit will go back into the press portion to offer

writing classes and other operational costs.

How the Money Will Be Used

In our first year, we want to raise $70,000 which will cover:

Monthly Rent: for 12 months

Technology: Point of Sales System, 4 Computers for the lab, security system, Internet, Website

Books and Supplies:

Marketing Materials: Flyers, postcards, stickers, 

Programs, Events, and Initiatives: 

The hope is that the bookstore and gift shop will begin to fund the space.

We have the space, it is in the Lewisville Music City Mall. They are pushing for businesses to revive the mall. There has been 12+ new businesses open up in the past 2 years plus a huge market and food court.

I have begun collaborations and partnerships with a few of the businesses to help promote the Bookstore and Literacy Center.

Lewisville is Northwest of Dallas, about 25 minutes. It is part of Denton County. The demographics of Lewisville make this an ideal space for a literacy center.

There are many schools and a child-friendly space at the Mall.

The changes as it relates to the Covid Pandemic, defunding or budget cuts to the educational system and more make this organization a highly needed one to help close the gaps.

More information to follow, but please visit our website which is currently being updated.

One of the really cool things about this organization is having a publication/press. Once we get the space up, we will continue the Publication.