The EHE School and Community Read Arounds initiative was established by the College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) at The Ohio State University as part of its broader commitment to fostering community engagement, and lifelong learning. This program was designed to bring together educators, students, families, and community members from across Central Ohio in a collaborative effort to promote literacy, inspire a love of reading, and build stronger connections between schools and communities.
Through a series of thoughtfully curated reading events held in local schools, libraries, and community centers, programming often features school district selected books, interactive storytelling, book giveaways, and discussions that help participants explore new perspectives and strengthen their literacy skills. Faculty and students from EHE partner with local educators to plan and lead these events, reinforcing the university’s role as a civic partner and educational leader in the region.
Ultimately, the EHE School and Community Read Arounds reflect a deep belief in the transformative power of literacy—not just as a tool for academic achievement, but as a catalyst for empowerment, connection, and social change within Central Ohio communities.
Events
Spring Semester 2022
Equity and Justice Read Around Partnership with Champion Middle School
For the Spring 2022 Read Around, EDGE is partnering with Champion Middle School (a Health Science Academy school). The featured text is The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, co-authored by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson. The Read Around partnership activities will complement Experience EHE Week and the Olivia J. Hooker Distinguished Diversity Lecture featuring Nikole Hannah-Jones. In February, 7th grade Champion students will participate in a literacy and arts project based on Born on the Water, in their English and Art classes. Students will showcase their artwork and meet Nikole Hannah-Jones during the lecture. Then, in May, students will meet author Renée Watson during a virtual visit at Champion Middle School.

Resources
Published Readings
- Scott Woods Makes Lists – Booklists (and more) for all ages
One of our favorites is 28 More Books Black Picture Books that Aren’t About Buses, Boycotts, or Basketball. - 28 More Books Black Picture Books that Aren’t About Buses, Boycotts, or Basketball
A selection of books categorized across specific themes (racial identity, LGBTQ+, Disability, etc.)for all levels of readers - GLSEN Trans Day of Visibility List
GLSEN states the list is “intended to share trans authors telling trans stories,” and warns that the list may include content that is triggering for some.
Social Justice Organizations
- Social Justice Websites
Beyond reading and watching, we highlight a resource by Dialogues on Diversity which aims to provide a list of organizations dedicated to social justice efforts
Films
- Complex Magazine – The Best Social Justice Movies and Documentaries
- Time.com – 12 Movies to Watch to Educate Yourself About Racism and Protest History, Recommended by Experts
Podcasts
- 5 Social justice podcasts you’ll wish you knew about sooner
- Latinx Intelligentsia
- Nancy
- Code Switch by NPR
- Still Processing
- Gender Reveal
- Pod Save the People
- Seeing White
- Jemele Hill is Unbothered
- Hear to Slay with Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- While Black
- Hella Black
- Genius Brain-Justice for George Floyd
- About Race
- The Diversity Gap
- Momentum: A Race Forward
TEDTalks
- Chimamanda Adichie – The danger of a single story
- Mellody Hobson – Color blind or color brave
- Lee Mokobe – A powerful poem about what it feels like to be transgender
- Bryan Stevenson – We need to talk about an injustice
- Baratunde Thurston – How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time
- Tiq and Kim Katrin Milan – A Queer Vision of Love and Marriage
Songs
- 25 songs of social justice, freedom, civil rights and hope to honor Black History Month
- 10 Social Justice Songs That Made History’
- 20 Protest Songs Written About the Latinx Struggle
- 25 Essential LGBTQ Pride Songs
Additional Resources
- Arab American Heritage Month multimedia list
A curated list of Arab American Heritage Month resources compiled by Berkeley Public Schools - Anti-Racism Resources
A curated list of articles, websites, reading resources, and media, anti-racism curated by The University of Washington