After an outpouring of support for the Black community in the Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR) following the tragic death of George Floyd, local organizations began discussing how they could help educate and create conversations in the community about systemic racism. Three organizations joined forces (The Community Writing Center, YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region and the Bay County Public Library Systems) to launch the Bay County initiative – The Justice Read: A Library and Community Read Project. Women in Leadership is excited to announce that this endeavor is the recipient of the 2020 Women in Leadership Gives Back award.

This proposed initiative, "The Justice Read: A Library and Community Read Project," will create the opportunity to begin addressing racism in the Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR) in two ways: 1) by building a Little Free Library, or "Justice Library," stocked with anti-racism books that are available for loan to any member of the community, and 2) by creating a "community read" based on one of these titles. "The Justice Read" will foster conversations about systemic racism, white privilege, and social justice, and by doing so, will help all members of the GLBR work towards equality and inclusivity.

Women in Leadership is seeking to raise $2,050 for The Justice Read. The funds will buy a little free library, purchase books for the justice library and the community read and market the initiative. We hope you’ll join us to reach this goal and help these organizations make a positive impact in the community.