Events & Experiences
Book-based events and activities for all ages!
Podcast
Read Brave Podcast with Youth Voices from IGF
Engaging youth—without a screen—with themes of intersectionality and resiliency as they relate to The Stars and the Blackness Between Them. Tune in and listen to Latrese and Moises as they use the power of the book to inspire intelligent conversations by using quotes from the book.
IGF is a nonprofit organization that creates safe spaces and healing opportunities for youth of color. They focus on breathing and education on stress and trauma. IGF also create workshops to connect to the community and share their mindful tools. For more information, visit https://www.irgrace.org/, opens a new window
Read Brave 2021 Podcast episodes
Read Brave: Voices of IGF Episode 4
Read Brave: Voices of IGF Episode 3
Read Brave: Voices of IGF Episode 2
Read Brave: Voices of IGF with Latrese and Moises
Videos
Hello from Junauda Petrus-Nasah
Junauda Petrus-Nasah is the author of The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, opens a new window.
A Conversation with Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
Marcelo Hernandez Castillo is the author of Children of the Land.
Read Brave: Talk Brave
Minneapolis-based author, Junauda Petrus-Nasah, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Latrese Johnson and Moises Meza from partner Irreducible Grace Foundation to sit down together to Talk Brave about themes found in this year’s Read Brave main book selection, The Stars and the Blackness Between Them.
Breath Breaks
Heart Breath
Sannia will introduce heart breath, which is used to break down cycles of anxious paralysis, and calm your brain from distractions. Follow along and learn to pay attention to your heart beats.
Humming
Tearra teaches a mindful technique that her ancestors used to get through horrific times and used to metabolize their pain: Humming. The art of humming uses vibrations that can help break up tension, stress and trauma that lives in our bodies.
Praying Hands
Natalia will introduce and guide you through this mindful tool called praying hands. Praying hands is used to calm you down when you are in high stress. It combines mindful physical movement, which helps to shift stress from body, and deep breaths. This mindfulness tool can be used with kids.
Amazing Eggrolls with V.T. Bidania!
Youth Immunity Tea
Watch and learn local author V.T. Bidania's amazing eggroll recipe!
In partnership with Indigenous Roots, youths from the International Indigenous Youth Council - Twin Cities, will share stories of healing through medicinal plants and tea recipes that that been passed down from matriarchal family members. Youths will discuss the importance of cedar to Indigenous people and share recipe for cedar and cinnamon tea.
Recorded Discussions
Video recording of the Books & Bars book club discussion of The Stars and The Blackness Between Them (1 hour, 20 minutes).
2021 Read Brave is presented by Saint Paul Public Library in collaboration with the City of Saint Paul, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Saint Paul Public Schools, and Irreducible Grace Foundation. Read Brave is sponsored by Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund and the Saint Paul Saints.
