During the month of February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In. Hosting an event can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book, or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.

As host, you are responsible for hosting an African American Read-In during the month of February and submitting a short report about your event that includes the location, number of attendees, and books featured. You do not need to register in advance. Note: The Host Report Card is to be submitted after your Read-In event.   Click here to submit an Online Report Card,  OR you can Print and Mail/Fax Report Card. Please do not submit both. Report cards should be submitted between February 1 – March 30, 2015.

It’s easy as I,2,3!

To be recognized as an official African American Read-In Host:

1) Select books, poems, speeches (anything) authored by African Americans;

2) Hold your event during the month of February; and

3) Report results by submitting an African American Read-In Report Card.
Program History

At its November 1989 meeting, the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English accepted the Issues Committee’s recommendation that the Black Caucus sponsor a nation-wide Read-In on the first Sunday of February.  At the request of educators, Monday was designated for educational institutions. Dr. Jerrie Cobb Scott, an active member of NCTE and the Black Caucus, brought the idea to the Committee.  It was envisioned that following a decade of rigorous campaigning for participants, the African American Read-Ins would become a traditional part of Black History Month celebrations.  The commitment for nation-wide promotion extends from 1990 to the present.

In 1990, the National Council of Teachers of English joined in the sponsorship of the African American Read-In Chain. The campaign has also been endorsed and supported by the International Reading Association.  Persons receiving African American Read-In packets share the information with others, thereby creating a “chain” of readers whose numbers would grow to well over 5.5 million by the year 2014.

Program Contacts

Dr. Jerrie Cobb Scott
Founder and National Chair
African American Read-In Steering Committee

Dr. Mila Thomas Fuller
NCTE Deputy Executive Director

Carrie Stewart
NCTE Project Coordinator

Contact: aari@ncte.org