Raleigh, NC – [September 23, 2025] – WakeEd Partnership announced today a new collaboration between its Partners Read program and The Brown Bookshelf http://thebrownbookshelf.com, a nationally recognized coalition of children’s authors. Together, they will bring celebrated authors of color into Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) classrooms to share stories, spark imagination, and encourage a lifelong love of reading.
The Brown Bookshelf works to amplify awareness of the many Black voices writing for children and young adults. Through this partnership, WakeEd will connect WCPSS Title I elementary school with acclaimed authors who reflect the communities they serve.
“Every child deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “By bringing these outstanding authors directly into classrooms, we’re not only inspiring young readers but also helping them imagine themselves as storytellers and creators.”
This school year, the program will host readings and distribute free books to students, featuring:
- Tameka Fryer Brown, Charlotte-based author, sharing her inspiring picture book All the Greatness in You
- Kelly Starling Lyons, Raleigh-based founder of The Brown Bookshelf, reading Ty’s Travels: Super Ty from her award-winning series
- Tracey Baptiste, New Jersey-based New York Times bestselling author, with her new story Super Goat Girl
The first school visits will take place on September 24, 2025, when author Tameka Fryer Brown will meet with students at Forestville Elementary and Hodge Road Elementary. More than 200 first graders will each take home a personal copy of All the Greatness in You.
About Partners Read
Partners Read places community volunteers into Wake County elementary schools to work one-on-one with developing first-grade readers. Last year, more than 300 volunteers supported 560 students at 62 schools, distributing 1,240 books for children’s personal libraries. Learn more at wakeed.org/partnersread.
About The Brown Bookshelf
Founded by children’s authors, The Brown Bookshelf highlights the breadth and depth of Black voices writing for young readers. Its signature initiative, 28 Days Later, showcases the best in picture books, middle-grade, and young adult literature. More at http://thebrownbookshelf.com
About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, WakeEd has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. Visit wakeed.org.
