Compassion Through Literature Celebration of Diversity

Positive Charge! PDX's Compassion Through Literature project is thrilled to partner with the international Little Free Library organization, A Kids Company About, and Portland Events & Film Office to celebrate the power of diverse books to cultivate awareness, understanding, and inclusion. And we're inviting the public to join us! 

There will be EXCITING GUESTS READING AND PERFORMING, with a focus on giving voice to humans of various colors, creeds, genders, abilities, and more. Come and get to know your neighbors and make some new friends!  An ASL translator will be on hand for the entire program.

We'll also be GIVING AWAY DIVERSE BOOKS (one per person/first come, first served), thanks to the generosity of the Little Free Library and A Kids Book About organizations. The books provide perspectives on racism and social justice; celebrate BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized voices; and incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers. 

In addition, Maggie Mae's Bookshop and Belmont Books will be on hand to showcase their deep collections of new and gently used diverse books. Both aaaaahhhmaaazing bookstores, plus A Kids Company About,  strive to make sure every child and adult in Portland can find themselves represented in a book!

Last but not least, we'll have YUMMY SNACKS to feast on. Should be a celebratory, fun day for ALL AGES in a GREAT LOCATION! The Q Center on N. Mississippi has been providing a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies for nearly twenty years. We support them in their effort to maintain and nurture a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all and could not have found a better venue for this Compassion Through Literature Celebration of Diversity!

NOTE: The Q Center has a FACE-MASKING MANDATE stll in effect. Although our event is not a Q Center-sponsored event, we kindly ask that you consider masking when indoors at the venue to honor the Q Center's decision.

P.S. Although RSVPs are not required, we would greatly appreciate an RSVP so we know how to plan for food and book giveaways! If you do let us know you plan to attend, please note you'll be asked to accept these Terms and Conditions of Positive Charge! PDX during the RSVP process. Please review them now.  If you plan to bring a minor, please print out, fill out, and bring this Minor’s Waiver with you when you come.

As the PC! PDX CTL webpage highlights, the mission of our Compassion Through Literature initiative is to foster a more compassionate, equitable world by increasing the circulation and access of books that reflect and honor the lives of ALL people, especially those underrepresented in published literature. 

We're making this happen in several ways, including by:

• Encouraging Little Free Library stewards in the Portland Metro area to carry more diverse books in their collection.
• Increasing the availability of diverse books in already established free little CTL libraries throughout the Portland Metro area.
• Frequently sharing posts about diverse books on social media. encouraging people to check them out and broaden their minds.
• Hosting this special summer celebration to showcase how diversity and inclusion enriches our everyday lives!

Soon, we'll be facilitating diverse book swaps, because books by and about marginalized people are not so readily available. Did you know that less than 25% of children’s books depict non-white characters?

Questions? Email info@PositiveChargePDX.org