Quintessa Williams

1 week ago | wordinblack.com | Quintessa Williams

Imagine a Black kid in California starting kindergarten this fall. They’re bright, curious, and, above all — excited about school. Their teacher may be nice enough but inexperienced or untrained in the science of reading. And by third grade, this child will likely be labeled “behind.” By middle school, honors classes are out of the question. If this student graduates from high school, they enter a world where job applications, lease agreements, and even voting ballots are a struggle to understand.

1 week ago | seattlemedium.com | Quintessa Williams

by Quintessa WilliamsImagine a Black kid in California starting kindergarten this fall. They’re bright, curious, and, above all — excited about school. Their teacher may be nice enough but inexperienced or untrained in the science of reading. And by third grade, this child will likely be labeled “behind.” By middle school, honors classes are out of the question.

2 weeks ago | washingtoninformer.com | Quintessa Williams

At their best, libraries do more than provide resources — they create belonging. As the nation celebrates and its theme “Drawn to the Library,” libraries are among the few public spaces where Black children don’t have to justify their curiosity. Where they can read poetry, explore science fiction, learn about their ancestors, and dream freely. But as schools nationwide become battlegrounds over censorship, the quiet corners of libraries — both public and school-based — are under threat.

2 weeks ago | dallasweekly.com | Quintessa Williams

Overview: The American Library Association has released a report revealing a rise in book censorship efforts, driven by organized groups, targeting books that focus on race, history, and identity. The report found that 821 attempts to ban books in 2024, down from 1,247 in 2023, due to library workers being afraid of being fired for reporting censorship.

2 weeks ago | wordinblack.com | Quintessa Williams

At their best, libraries do more than provide resources — they create belonging. As the nation celebrates and its theme “Drawn to the Library,” libraries are among the few public spaces where Black children don’t have to justify their curiosity. Where they can read poetry, explore science fiction, learn about their ancestors, and dream freely. But as schools nationwide become battlegrounds over censorship, the quiet corners of libraries — both public and school-based — are under threat.