MLK Book Drive To Help Children In Arlington's Low-Income Communities

ARLINGTON, VA — The authors of the children’s book “From Lee Highway to Langston Boulevard,” Nadia and Arrington Conyers, are hosting a Representation Matters Book Drive on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

They are asking community members to donate children’s books that celebrate diversity. The books will then be provided to Arlington Public Schools' eight Title 1 elementary schools. Title 1 schools are located in historically low-income communities with less access to books or literature that truly promote diversity and inclusion

The books will be used to create what the Conyers are calling a Mirror and Reflection Corner at the eight elementary schools.

“Each corner will be created to renew the love of reading. There is no better way to accomplish this goal than with literature which truly represents who students are as individuals,” a description of the book drive says. “Reading about people who look like them and live where they live will engage their imagination, joy of history, and love of self.”

Community members can order books from a gift registry created on Amazon.com, or purchase books at a local bookshop that celebrate diversity. Some local bookshops include One More Page Books at 2200 N. Westmoreland Street in Arlington, Busboys and Poets at 4251 S Campbell Ave. in Arlington, and Child's Play at 4510 Cherry Hill Rd. in Arlington.

Books purchased as part of the Representation Matters Book Drive should be dropped off at 2614 18th Street South in Arlington on Monday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.