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The Black Book Project
Making cultural representation a priority, one book at a time!
The Black Book Project is an organization that collects and distributes donated books while promoting the importance of representation to the children who need it most. We believe in taking action with urgency to raise public awareness about two pressing issues facing today’s society: representation and literacy. Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a measurable difference in the lives of children in our communities.
Vision, Misson & Goal
What we do and why we do it
Our Vision
To create a world where all readers see themselves in stories they read!
Our Mission
Making cultural representation in children's literature a priority,
one book at a time.
Our Goal
To collect 10,000 books by the end of Black History Month, February 2025.
Meet the founder of the Black Book Project!
I am Meredith McKinney, a Nashville native, educator, and proud alumna of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities—Oakwood University and Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. I currently work for Metro Nashville Public Schools. As a former teacher and a mother of two boys, Carter and Chase, I’ve witnessed firsthand the critical need for diverse representation in children's literature.
I am deeply passionate about literacy and education, particularly in helping children read and see themselves in the stories they read. When children can relate to characters and experiences in books, it fosters empowerment and strengthens their connection to reading.
Outside of my professional work, I enjoy traveling, spending quality time with family and friends, and running my gourmet business, "Made by Meredith," which specializes in chocolate-covered strawberries and pretzels. However, my greatest passion remains ensuring all children have access to books reflecting their identities and experiences.​
Become Part of History with The Black Book Project
The Black Book Project cannot do this work without you! We continue to seek additional sponsors, partnerships, monetary donations, and book donations to help us continue to reach our most vulnerable children, one book at a time!
We’re making an impact.
First Book Research & Insights studied the importance of diverse classroom libraries and their impact on student outcomes during the 2022-2023 school year.
Of 3,450 children's books published in the U.S. in 2022, only 493 (13%) featured a Black/African American primary or significant secondary character.
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70% of students chose to read diverse books that acted as mirrors, reflecting their own lives and experiences.
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Access to diverse books led to improved reading scores, with educators reporting gains in assessments during each bimonthly survey period.
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