FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We Need Diverse Books Joins as Fiscal Sponsor of People of Color in Publishing
November 16, 2021
Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is thrilled to announce that it has become a fiscal sponsor of People of Color in Publishing (POCIP), a grassroots organization created by book publishing professionals in 2016. People of Color in Publishing is dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members throughout the publishing industry.
“We are so excited about this partnership as the missions for People of Color in Publishing and We Need Diverse Books align perfectly,” said Christine Hung, interim director of People of Color in Publishing. “We would both love to see a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive publishing landscape and this fiscal sponsorship will allow People of Color in Publishing to do even more of the important work that we are already advancing.”
POCIP offers career development and advancement for book publishing professionals who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color via initiatives such as a Mentorship Program, that connects entry-level professionals of color with mentors who are more established in their careers, through Networking Noms, a series of small informational lunches, dinners, or social gatherings hosted by publishing professionals designed for people who are newer to or looking to enter publishing, and a private Facebook group. Earlier this year People of Color in Publishing also released a Workplace Racism Survey in collaboration with Latinx in Publishing Inc. that surveyed over 200 respondents working in the industry about their experiences with racism and microaggressions in the workplace.
“We Need Diverse Books is proud to be a fiscal sponsor of People of Color in Publishing,” said Caroline Richmond, interim executive director of We Need Diverse Books. “It is a core part of our mission to combat systemic racism and oppression, and People of Color in Publishing has been doing that work in the industry since its inception. This partnership will allow both organizations to expand on the work that we’ve been doing to create real change within publishing.”
About People of Color in Publishing. People of Color in Publishing is a grassroots organization created by book publishing professionals dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members throughout the industry, we seek to create a safe and inclusive space celebrating and promoting diversity. Through a planning committee and network of chaired subcommittees, we advocate and foster career development and advancement of people of color (including Native/Indigenous) professionals’ work.
About We Need Diverse Books. We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs twelve exciting initiatives united under one goal—to combat systemic racism and oppression by creating a world where all children can find themselves on the pages of a book. Established in 2014, WNDB strives to support and amplify diverse literature by mentoring marginalized creators, providing resources to diverse publishing professionals, and donating diverse books to schools and libraries nationwide. Learn more at diversebooks.org.
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Press Contacts:
Alaina Lavoie, alainalavoie@diversebooks.org
Saraciea Fennell, pocinpub@gmail.com
