At The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative (BLAC) Project, we seek to empower the Black community with the skills needed to succeed in life and business  by providing them various educational programs through the arts, action steps for developing critical life skills for success, and access to mentorships with successful members of the community.

The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative (B.L.A.C.) Project is a 501(c)(3) organization that was created as a means to cultivate a unique approach to visual and performance art, literacy, business and financial education, personal-efficacy, and mental health through fostering creative collaboration, education, and civic and community engagement with a specific aim towards positively impacting "at-risk" youth, communities, entrepreneurs and small businesses. The B.L.A.C. Project aims to serve all communities but has a specific focus on underprivileged and "at-risk" BIPOC populations nation-wide.

By sponsoring our programs, you will be provided with free advertising on our website, during our events and in our printed literature. You will get first access to our annual gala and B.L.A.C. Summit which reaches a population of over 5k individuals, small businesses and government officials.

Our programs serve as a connection point to educate our communities at the intersection of art, culture, and activism. Through artistic expression and engagement, we will empower our communities, change the landscape, and inspire new realities. 

Overview

The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative Project along with Exposed Books is conducting a book drive that will benefit the Boston and Baltimore BIPOC Community this fall season.

We are asking for book donations for BIPOC youth ages 5-18. We are looking for books that showcase Black characters, tell Black stories, are written and/or illustrated by Black authors, and uplift the Black community. If you are unsure what types of books to donate, you may also donate money towards our Literacy Baskets. All books and baskets will be delivered to families in need this fall. For more information, please visit our website at www.theblacproject.com/book-drive.

Goals

1. Enhance Literacy Levels:  The BLAC Project has chosen to focus on the particular strengths and needs of black children and families in the broader context of a shared goal: ensuring that all Black Americans are reading proficiently. We have chosen to adopt this overarching objective in response to data demonstrating both the critical nature of this educational benchmark and the devastating performance of Black families, only 15 percent of whom are reading proficiently in 4th grade. The BLAC Project aims to improve literacy levels within African American communities by engaging families and helping them develop an at-home literacy routine with proven results that link to academic and life success.

2. Enhance Personal Efficacy: Personal Efficacy, aka Self Efficacy, refers to one’s judgement of his or her own capacity to accomplish challenging goals (Bandura,1977,1986,1997). This is crucial in developing a person’s self esteem and ultimately their outlook on life. The BLAC Project aims to foster positive personal efficacy in at risk youth through workshops, coaching, creative arts, and self evaluation. The objective of these programs is to help participants gain confidence in their ability to exert control over their motivation, behavior, and social environment so they can positively create and achieve their goals.

3. Promote Mental Wellness: 

“My mental health doesn’t affect my job.”

“Children don’t experience issues with mental health.”

These are common myths that plague our society. Mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing; it affects how we think, act, and feel. The BLAC Project understands the importance of this throughout every stage of life, and aims to enhance positive mental health through self love workshops, webinars, workbooks, creative arts, and access to mental health counselors. These programs will help at risk communities to positively handle stress, relate better to others, and make positive life choices.

How to Get involved

There are many ways to get involved with this project:

1. Sponsorship

You may choose to sponsor a literacy basket for a family in need. Literacy baskets are $50 each and will include:

• 2 books (age appropriate for the recipient)

• 1 box of hot cocoa

• 1 pack of biscuits/ cookies

• 1 blanket

• 1 coloring book

• 1 pack of crayons

2. Monetary Donation

You may choose to donate to the BLAC Project specifically for this initiative or donate monthly to support this and all other programs to benefit families.

3. Donate a Book

You can choose to donate a book written by an author of color and significant to the upliftment of Black youth, families, and bodies.  You can choose to donate a book written by an author of color and significant to the upliftment of Black youth, families, and bodies. Additionally, you may choose to donate a light blanket, a coloring book, a box or hot cocoa and/or crayons.You can mail your donation to:

The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative Project, Inc.

P.O. Box 692051

Quincy, MA 02269

Ideas for kids books by Black authors:

• Kids Books Ideas

You can use this great google search to find books for teens as well.

While we have made some great strides laying the foundation for our organization, The BLAC Project still has a lot to accomplish in preparation for 2021. We need your support to launch our second year. Please consider sponsoring us to help us achieve our mission.

If you have any questions, our team will be happy to provide you with more information about how you can help support our work, by donating and volunteerism as well. With your sponsorship, we’re one step closer to helping our community reach their fullest potential.

Sincerely,

Rochelle Levy

Founder of The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative