Author Derrick Barnes & "I See Me, Inc."

In February, Derrick Barnes was scheduled to visit three elementary schools in the city of Hoover. These visits were canceled at a district level.

Bluff Park Elementary School (BPES) was one of the local schools affected by the cancellation. BPES is a local school that has chosen to celebrate diversity in many ways. The Bluff Park community wants to show their support for Derrick Barnes and a commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion within our city and schools.

Mr. Barnes would have been paid $3,300 for his visit to BPES with a grant given by the Bluff Park PTA. With Mr. Barnes’ permission & deep gratefulness, as a community, we would like to raise $3,300 to make up for his monetary losses. Anything raised beyond that amount will be donated to the Birmingham-based nonprofit "I See Me, Inc."

I See Me, Inc. was founded by Devon Frazier to dismantle the “School-to-Prison Pipeline” by increasing the literacy rates in children of color by engaging them in literature that reflects their culture and mirrors their image. Their vision is to have every student of color reading at or beyond their grade level.

According to Frazier, "The organization aims to afford children the opportunity to see themselves through the pages of books reflecting their image and imagining greater possibilities. The organization has distributed 55,000 books, impacting over 5,000 plus children across the State of Alabama through its various programs, including but not limited to First Library, Real Men Read, and Crown Me, named after children’s author Derrick Barnes book “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.” The relationship with the author and I See Me, Inc. was fostered 4-5 years ago as he has been featured in several of the organization's panel discussions on the importance of childhood literacy and the effect reflective literacy has on a child’s reading interest and creativity. The vision and purpose align in such a way that the organization has distributed several of his inspiring books. I See Me, Inc. appreciates Mr. Barnes’ approach to learning and his being a friend of ours in the pursuit of excellence in literacy for our children."

Devon and her foundation are beyond grateful to be a part of this February fundraiser partnership.

Proper and fair representation in schools is critical for all educators and students. As parents of the Bluff Park community, we hope to see your support in helping the mission of representation in Alabama schools, leadership, and literature! We appreciate your time and donation.

This Fundraiser will be available through February. Thank you!

*All funds will be donated to the nonprofit "I See Me, Inc.". $3,300 will be distributed to Derrick Barnes and anything above that will fund the vision of "I See Me, Inc.".

*Bluff Park Elementary School and The Bluff Parent Teacher Association are not affiliated with this fundraiser in any way.