Monthly educational residency designed by The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore to inspire children and families to connect books to dreams.
PITTSBURGH, PA — The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore presents the Read to Dream Experience, hosted at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC). Through this partnership, they will offer their Read to Dream Experience as a new monthly educational residency. Designed by The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore for families with children from birth to age 10, the program invites participants to explore the powerful connection between reading and dreaming to make the world better.
Through interactive storytelling, dialogic reading, guided discussion, and creative activities, the Read to Dream Experience encourages young readers to see books as pathways to imagination, confidence, and possibility. Each session centers children’s voices while creating space for families to learn with and from one another in a welcoming, culturally affirming environment.
“Reading opens doors to imagination, confidence, and self-discovery,” said Janis Burley, President and CEO/Artistic Director of AWAACC. “By inviting children and families to connect reading with imagination and purpose, we are nurturing the next generation of dreamers, thinkers, and leaders.”
“We believe reading is a transformative process that inspires children to develop and advance their dreams,” said Drs. Nosakhere & Eliada Griffin-EL. Bringing our Read to Dream Experience to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center through inaugural educational residency is a grand opportunity to inspire children to see the connection between books and their dreams. When children understand this connection between dreaming and reading, they’ll grow up to live their dreams and make the world better!”
The residency is designed around key educational objectives, including reader identity development, strengthening the relationship between literacy and personal aspiration, and highlighting children’s books featuring protagonists of African descent from around the world. Families can also purchase books for their home libraries, supporting continued reading and learning beyond each session.
The first Read to Dream Experience will take place on February 28, with sessions held monthly at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The story times are at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm. Each program will feature a unique theme and hands-on activities designed to engage children and families. The theme of the inaugural session is “Our Dreams Make the World Better.”
ABOUT THE YOUNG DREAMERS BOOKSTORE
The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore is a mobile book retail startup founded in 2021 for young children and their families. The business provides dream-centered and enriching children’s books that “meet kids at their dreams and reading needs.” It proudly features books that herald protagonists of African descent from across the globe. The bookstore assists children in seeing the connection between reading and creating dreams of personal fulfillment and social impact. The team looks forward to serving young dreamers and their families.
ABOUT THE AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a nonprofit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s cultural district that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson.
One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the non-profit organization welcomes more than 100,000 visitors locally and nationally.
Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers speaker series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today.
Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, visit our website: awaacc.org
Media Contacts:
Khalil Waldron, Director – Marketing and Communications, AWAACC
(412) 742-4771 | Kwaldron@awaacc.org