Lincoln School Project hosts celebrated authors

The Lincoln School Project continues its mission with programming like last week’s visit from authors/artists Charly Palmer and Dr. Karida Brown. The husband and wife are nationally renowned for their work, and their visit to West Plains was promoting their NAACP Image Award-nominated book, “The New Brownies’ Book,” as well as Palmer’s children’s books and other artwork. 

 

Using the restored schoolhouse that was once used to educate the African American children of West Plains, the duo’s trip to Howell County began Friday morning with a ribbon cutting sponsored by the West Plains Chamber of Commerce. Dozens of representatives from Chamber businesses braved the winds to pose for the ceremonial picture. 

 

The next stop was a book reading at the West Plains Public Library for sixty of West Plains Elementary’s top readers. Third-and-fourth graders with the highest word counts earned the trip to the library to meet the authors and hear Dr. Brown read an excerpt. 

 

Organizer Crockett Oaks III donated a copy of ‘The New Brownies’ Book and Palmer’s book The Legend of Gravity - A Tall Basketball Tale to the library. Each child received a signed copy of Gravity donated by John and Christena Silvey Coleman.

 

From there, it was back to the Lincoln School for a book signing and discussion event in the evening.

 

On Saturday morning, there was another book signing at Jimmie Carrol Sports Complex and then a stamp and memorabilia signing at The Frame Shop and Gallery. 

 

Palmer was appointed by the U.S. Postal Service to design the 47th stamp in the Black Heritage Stamp series, portraying Judge Constance Motley. Additional illustration credits include the cover art for Time Magazine’s July 2020 issue and the cover portrait of John Legend’s Grammy award-winning album.

 

The subtitle of ‘The New Brownies’ Book is “A love letter to Black families.” The volume pays homage to the 1920’s periodical originally launched by W.E.B. DuBois. The new anthology features content both from the original publication and contemporary work. 

 

A portion of the proceeds of the books sales in West Plains will go to support the Lincoln School Project.