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Applications are now open for the spring 2024 edition of The Breedlove Readers, a book club that encourages middle- and high-school girls throughout Central New York to celebrate Black girl stories through reading, writing and creating. This year, the book club adds the Marigold Arts Group, which will introduce girls of color to multimodal ways of engaging literacy through various art methods and curatorial work, thanks to funding from Humanities New York.

The deadline to of both groups is Jan. 29. Meetings are held on Saturday afternoons (1 to 3 p.m. for the book club; 3 to 5 p.m. for the Marigold Arts Group) at the Southside Communications Center, 2331 South Salina St., Syracuse, starting Feb. 24. Space is limited to 15 participants, ages 13 to 17. All programming and materials are free, and snacks are provided.

The Breedlove Readers book club was formed in 2020 by , assistant professor of educational leadership in the School of Education, and , associate provost for strategic initiatives and Distinguished Dean’s Professor of Literacy, Race and Justice in the School of Education. The club combines Mauldin’s and Haddix’s love of books with a mentorship model that also explores social, political and personal topics.

Books selected reflect an array of Black girl experiences that resonate with its young members. Topics—including body positivity, identity formation, navigating high school, community change and social activism—are explored through dialogue, writing and art creation that will be showcased in an exhibition on April 26 at CNY Arts.

To learn more about The Breedlove Readers, email thebreedlovereaders@gmail.com or call 734.358.4611.

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