Ensuring all children become confident and competent readers by the end of third grade.
We put children first.
St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature is committed to fostering awareness about the importance of early literacy by creating innovative opportunities for all kids to have access to Black children’s literature.
“We recognize that every child has the basic human right to read. Through our efforts children will have access to images and literacy experiences that reflect their cultural experiences. They will see themselves in books and read, laugh, sing, become well and be filled with joy!” Julius B. Anthony, President and Founder, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature and The Believe Projects
Our Mission
The Believe Projects® inspires kids to become confident and competent readers before the end of third grade by using culturally responsive books, music, art, and media in spaces where they are free to relax, explore, and be fiercely and fully themselves.
What Do We Know?
90% of all Black children in metropolitan St. Louis attend a school in the St. Louis Promise Zone Neighborhoods.
(St. Louis Promise Zone Progress Report November 2021)
From 2014-2019 75% of Black third graders in metropolitan St. Louis annually failed in Reading, compared to 51% of all children in Missouri.
(Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Missouri Assessment Program)
Less than 3% of picture books published by major book companies are written by Black authors.
(Cooperative Children’s Book Center, Children’s Books by/and or about Black, Indigenous and People of Color 2019)
What Do We Believe?
Cultural representation matters for children when they are learning how to read.
The Science of Reading is crucial when learning how to read. Specifically, the Five Elements of Reading:
Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary Development, and Comprehension.
However, it is not enough to produce successful readers.
All children, particularly children of color must experience the “Intimacy of Literacy” when learning how to read:
What Will We Do?
Believe Literacy Labs
Primary focus on Prekindergarten through Grade 3.
1,000 books for every lab.
25 playtime pads loaded with e-books, literacy games, and music.
25 Believe Build-A-Bear Buddies.
Literacy learning experiences with authors, music artists, visual artists, comedians, and live theater.
What Have We Done?
Believe TRACTION
10 Believe Literacy Labs
opened between 2019 and 2023
3,000 Believers
in ten literacy labs.
30 literacy arts experiences
(authors, theater, visual, and musical artists).
30,000 copies
of Black children's picture books and young adult literature given to St.Louis' children to build home libraries.
80% of Believe Students
showing progress in learning how to read!
The Believers
Ferguson Community and Empowerment Center
(Salvation Army)
9420 W. Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63136
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, East St. Louis, IL
8213 Church Lane, East St. Louis, IL 62203
Glasgow Elementary School, Riverview Gardens School District
10560 Renfrew Drive, St. Louis, MO 63137
Old North Confluence Academy
3017 N. 13 th Street, St. Louis, MO 63107
Halls Ferry Intermediate School, Ferguson-Florissant School District
13585 New Halls Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63033
Pershing Elementary School, The School District of University City
6761 Bartmer Ave., University City, MO 63130
Normandy Schools Collaborative
3855 Lucas And Hunt, Saint Louis, MO 63121
Jennings School District,
2559 Dorwood Drive, Jennings, MO 63136
Saint Louis Public Schools District,
801 N 11th St. Saint Louis, MO 63101
Pershing Elementary School, The School District of University City
6761 Bartmer Ave., University City, MO 63130
