Diversity and Inclusion: Representing Culture and Language in Children’s Literature

EWU Libraries, with support from the Chertok Memorial Endowed Professorship, invites you to join us for this awareness-raising event at the JFK Library.

Kassahun Kebede will speak about representation issues related to immigration and refugees and his experience growing up in a book-scarce environment. Ellenore Angelidis will discuss representation and global experiences in children’s literature, and the challenges of publishing children’s books related to Africa.

Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 1:30 pm – 3 pm
JFK Library | Lower Level
Refreshments will be served.

Watch via livestream.

Kassahun Kebede, PhD, EWU Sociology and Justice Studies, is a cultural sociologist who has taught and conducted research for more than 15 years in both Ethiopia and the United States. His research includes various topics such as international migration, rural livelihoods, development-induced population relocation, and health disparities. He has been recognized with multiple awards for his teaching and research endeavors, and was chosen for EWU’s Chertok Professorship in 2023. Kebede is founder of the Libraries for Ethiopia Fund (LiFEF), a nonprofit focused on creating safe centers with books, computers and activities that support self-expression and learning.

Ellenore Angelidis is the founder and executive director of Open Hearts and Big Dreams (OHBD), a literacy project seeking to increase literacy by providing colorful, mother tongue, early reader books to children in need. The project, through “Ready Set Go Books,” involves creating, publishing, printing, and distributing children’s books, many of which are based in Ethiopia, with others about immigrant and refugee experiences. She is excited to share her journey with EWU students and everyone else. Learn more about OHBD online: https://openheartsbigdreams.org/

People needing accommodations can call 509.359.6201 three days prior to the event.