Swings for Stories: a Jack Anderson fundraiser for Young, Black & Lit

Did you know that 61% of low-income households have no books for their children at home? And did you know that as recently as 2018, only 15% of children’s books feature Black and Brown main characters? These statistics  need to change, and nonprofit Young, Black & Lit has made it their mission to do so. That is why professional baseball player and Evanston resident, Jack Anderson, has partnered with them to host a batting practice-style competitive fundraiser that will provide books to children throughout the Evanston and Chicagoland area.

For the next two months, Jack will host weekly events where he will pitch to groups of batters who dare to face his unique submarine-style of pitching. Each batter must make a donation that will provide 10 or more books to local kids as part of Young, Black & Lit’s mission to increase access to children’s books that center, reflect, and affirm Black children. The overall goal of $10,000 would fund books for nearly 2,000 children in the Evanston and Chicagoland area.

For every strikeout Jack records, he will personally donate $5, the approximate value of one book, with the goal of striking out 50 batters and funding 50 books. Fans can contribute by making a one-time donation or pledge based on Jack’s strikeouts:

• 1 book = $5 donation
• 10 books = $50 donation or $1 pledge/strikeout
• 20 books = $100 donation or $2 pledge/strikeout
• 50 books = $250 donation  or $5 pledge/strikeout

Studies show that the most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. Additionally, it is important for children to have access to books that serve as mirrors,  reflecting their own culture - and books that serve as windows - allowing views into someone else’s experiences. Young, Black & Lit accomplishes just that through their book programs that get books featuring black characters directly into the hands of children throughout Evanston, IL and the Chicagoland area.

Through partnerships with local elementary schools and daycares serving low-income children and/or Title I schools in Cook County, IL, Young, Black & Lit sources and distributes new children’s books featuring Black main characters to youth at no cost to the youth or their families. Young, Black & Lit makes it easier for children to access quality books featuring Black characters by removing the cost and doing the research to find books that affirm the varied experiences of Black children; building at-home libraries, self-esteem, and life-long readers, one book at a time.

Stay tuned in to Jack’s Instagram page (@the_jandyman) to watch the events live and receive updates on how to sign up to hit and donate. To get involved. contact tnocita@bhscglobal.com.