In February, WCCO Radio is celebrating Black History Month by showcasing Black Minnesota leaders or highlighting systemic issues still needing addressal today.
Monday, Sloane Martin introduces us to Dr. Artika Tyner, a law professor, nonprofit organizer and children’s author whose books help all kids discover -- including the earliest learners -- about the power they have to positively impact their community.
Children’s books set the stage for kids to create, explore and imagine at any stage of literacy; and seeing themselves reflected in the protagonist, as the hero, makes reading all the more special...
“As we think about having a comprehensive curriculum and what are we teaching our children, that representation matters,” Tyner said. “We want the stories around diversity and inclusion to be the default. Not just the extra thing that we’re talking about. We’re not just talking about this in Black History Month, we’re not just talking about this in women’s month, but this is commitment that 24/7, 365 we are to make sure that our books and our curriculum reflect the reality and the beauty of the rich cultural tapestry of our nation and our world.”
RADIO.COM is celebrating powerful Black voices in radio, news, music, sports and pop culture all month long. Check out stories, stations and podcasts that inspire for Black History Month on RADIO.COM.
One of Dr. Tyner’s most popular titles is Justice Makes a Difference, the Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire. The protagonist is a young Black girl who’s not just any girl, but a superhero.
“She finds that her super powers are thinking about how she can serve, how she can be impactful in her community,” Dr. Tyner said. “The other connection that she discovers that you’re never too young to make a difference, so she discovers the power of leadership and how she can lead change by becoming a servant in her community. You’re thinking, ‘Through an 8-year-old girl’s lens, how do you learn all those lessons?’ She learns this through some of the heroes and sheroes of the African-American community, from Dr. Wangari Maathai, to pioneering attorney Charles Hamilton Houston, she’s inspired by them to roll up her sleeves and get involved in her community.”
Another book, Joey and Grandpa Johnson’s Day in Rondo, follows Dr. Tyner’s own experience learning about the once thriving African-American St. Paul neighborhood that was demolished to build I-94 in the mid-20th century. Joey learns about heritage and community and becomes determined to become an entrepreneur.
“Oftentimes we’re going through I-94 and not having the context of history,” Dr. Tyner said. “And for my books, all of them have a connection to the past, present and the future. I hope that learning about some of the tragic pieces around Rondo and the displacement, the racial removal that that will be a catalyst that maybe students will want to learn more about history and the history of racial injustice in America, but then also that spark that they can lead change in meaningful ways.”
You find Dr. Tyner’s books through her nonprofit, Planting Peoples, Growing Justice.
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