Long before attending his first read-in, Karl Jones always knew he wanted to be a writer. “I’d been fooling around with writing for five or six years and had just finally moved toward writing poetry when my wife convinced me to join her at the read-in,” Jones said. “I was so impressed with the event that I went home and wrote poem number 36 all about the Read-In.” Since that first read-in three years ago, Jones has written 85 more poems. He’s also actively sought out books written by African-American authors and books about African-American culture. “This event has really opened me up to new cultures, new ideas and new ways of thinking,” Jones said. “It’s made me realize how narrow a life I’ve lived. Now it’s exciting to see it open up! Every year I’m even more excited to see something put together to help people read.”

Ja’Cedric Knight was five years old when he attended his first read-in at the Majestic Theatre. He had just learned to read in his kindergarten class and was excited about the opportunity to hear others read as well. “Between each reader taking the stage, Ja’Cedric would raise his hand, hoping he’d be called upon to read on-stage with the others,” Ja’Cedric’s mother, Felicia Cook, said. “His only reference point was his school classroom, and he was so excited about reading and showing others he could that he was just begging to be called on stage. He didn’t realize the readers had been previously chosen. He kept telling me ‘I’d like to read something too.’” Ja’Cedric’s mother helped him organize a Read-In for his family, then his neighborhood and his church -- and eight years later Ja’Cedric did appear in the read-in, sharing his own published poem.

When Barbara Record’s aunt, a former school teacher, came to visit from San Francisco, Record knew exactly where to take her – the annual read-in at the Majestic Theatre. Unfortunately, the lines were so long that year that the Majestic Theatre was full before they could get in. “We had parked my car near the front door,” Record said. “When the people helping with the read-in realized we couldn’t get in, they brought her some books and spent time talking with her. She was so excited about it all. She enjoyed every one of the books that were given to her and we had our own read-in when we got back home.” Record’s aunt lived to be 104 years old, and she spent her, entire life teaching others to read. “My aunt really saw the value of reading and educating those around you. She passed that on to the rest of our family as well,” Record said. “Since that trip with my aunt, I’ve been able to take my children, and they’ve been able to take their children. I hope we can pass it along to many generations to come. It’s always quite an experience. I’m very proud of the DCCCD for doing this for our community.”

Yulonda Davis first heard about the read-in in 2000. She was given some basic guidelines and decided to hold her own read-in at her office. “We held our first read-in that year and it was very positive,” Davis said. “But we’ve really built it over the last nine years, and it continues to grow and gain interest from others. It helps us all look at many different cultures and societies. It’s been a big eye- opener and broadens everyone’s perspectives.” As part of the read-in, Davis invites her co-workers to take part in a multilingual read-in which is unique for their office. Co-workers pick a book and then take turns reading portions of the book in each of their own native languages. The read-in at Davis’ office has also birthed several other read-ins across the area, including the weekly read-in that’s held at The Bridge, a homeless shelter in Dallas. “This event really brings people in from the community,” Davis said. “I took reading for granted, but this has had a positive impact on many people’s lives and given us a chance to share in other people’s stories.”

While working with their church to explore the idea of teaching GED classes at the Dallas Day Resource Center, Raji Josiam and Madhavan attended a read-in at Josiam’s office. They soon realized formal classes would be difficult to offer for the transient population at the DRC, but were inspired after attending the read-in. They quickly transitioned from the idea of GED classes and instead began a weekly read-in at the center in March 2007. “There were four of us from our church when we began. We took our books and met in a classroom at the center,” Josiam said. “We would read the books and then open the group for discussion. At first many were a bit reluctant to participate, but the group has really evolved since then.” In May 2008, the DRC was closed and the read-in was moved to The Bridge, the City of Dallas’ new homeless shelter. “We’ve now been moved into a more intimate setting and it’s really helped people open up and share their life stories,” said Josiam. “They’re able to identify with the stories in the books and it helps them share their own life stories. We relate the stories back to their lives and through our conversations we’ve built some really great friendships.” Josiam said the entire experience continues to be an eye opener for her and the team from her church. “We’re all very fortunate, and sitting and listening to them as they share from their heart helps me remember what really matters,” Josiam said. “It all started from a very simple thing and it has evolved into something so amazing.”

Yolanda Lewis has been attending the African American Read-In since it first began 10 years ago. While she always enjoyed the books and other gifts given to guests, she was particularly inspired by one autobiographical book she received last year, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave. As a teacher at Frederick Douglas Elementary, the book quickly grabbed her attention. “I read the book and it was so inspiring that I searched out another copy of the book and shared it with my principal,” Lewis said. “She was just as inspired as I was.” Lewis quickly contacted the Dallas Community College District and requested additional copies of the book to use in a school-wide read-in of their own. Teachers read portions of the book to their students each morning and excerpts from the book were also read during the morning announcements. “The readings sparked amazement and questions from all the students,” Lewis said. “With the new-found knowledge of Frederick Douglass, the children took pride in their school and the man. The entire school now recites the Frederick Douglass creed during the morning announcements, ‘I believe - I believe in myself and my ability to do my best, for this day will not come anymore. I will think, I will listen, I will read, and I will write, I will do all these things with one purpose in mind. To not waste this day. For this day will not come anymore.’”

After two years of trying, Ernest, wife Latrice and their two children finally got into the Majestic Theatre to experience AARI 2006. The production featured readings for men and fathers. Ernest left inspired. He also heard Carla Ranger’s challenge, “Read for 20 minutes a day and become a better reader.” Ernest said, “At first it was hard to schedule 20 minutes to read; but if she was right, my desire to be a better reader would come true. So I kept at it. The more I read, the better I got.” Ernest told his story at the 2007 read-in. He proclaimed, “Yes! Now I can read and I feel proud!”