We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Artika Tyner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Artika, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?
I look up to Fannie Lou Hamer. She was an activist and social entrepreneur. I have learned these values from her example: 1) Courage- Mrs. Hamer was willing to take a stand against injustices. She fought for access to voting rights and fair representation in political parties,
2) Perservance- Mrs. Hamer faced brutal violence and severe beatings but she held steadfast to the promise of liberty and justice for all.
3) Innovation- Mrs. Hamer created a pig farm/community cooperative and vocational school. She ministered to the daily needs of her community while building a powerful ecosystem.
My favorite leadership quote from Mrs. Hamer: “Never forget where we came from and always praise the bridges that carried us over.”
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
ABOUT MY BUSINESS Reading is fundamental to education. Only 18 percent of Black fourth graders are reading at grade level making them four times more likely to not graduate.
Children are more likely to read books when they can identify with the characters. Black youth are more likely to see a black dog on a book cover than a Black child. The book industry has been ineffective in promoting the joy of reading among Black children.
Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ) publishes, promotes, and distributes books that encourage and empower Black children to find joy in reading.
ABOUT ME
I am committed to growing futures: One book at a time- one child at a time
This is why I became a small business owner. My business is personal and important to me because as a civil rights attorney many of my clients learned how to read in prison. This is unacceptable but somehow we created a RULE OF 4:
1 in 4 American children are not reading at grade level by 4th grade
If you are not reading at grade level by 4th grade, you are 4 times more likely to dropout of school
And here’s the connection, you are also 3 and a half times more likely to be arrested during your lifetime.
This is UNACCEPTABLE. Yet, this is an opportunity for change. Where we can create new pipelines for the future and work to end mass incarceration.
I am most proud of the fact that PPGJ Books is revolutionizing the publishing industry. We are creating new pathways for diverse authors and illustrators to produce new content and develop thriving careers in the publishing industry. In addition, we have demonstrated that businesses can make a difference in their communities. Through our social enterprise model, we have donated over 20,000 books to children in need and reached over 5,000 children with our Leaders are Readers program.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My passion for justice helped to build my reputation within the publishing and education sectors. I have served as a civil rights attorney over the past 17 years. My work has focused on education and criminal reform. My business naturally emerged as an extension of my work as I developed new ways to address racial disparities in educational obtainment and eradicate the pipeline to prison.
In addition, I am a lifelong educator. This has enabled me to connect with fellow educators, parents, community members, and librarians in meaningful ways. I am able to share my teaching experience and methods for improving reading and literacy.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In-person training and book sales (pop-up shops, community events) are our primary sources of revenue. COVID-19 restricted our ability to host our events. Our business adapted by creating new online revenue streams. We expanded the inventory of our online bookstore. We also began offering ebooks and online learning events.
Our local African American community experienced great economic despair with the onset of COVID-19. Over half of our community was unemployed. It made it difficult for families to meet their basic needs hence many did not have the disposable income to purchase our products and services. This is where our nonprofit foundation comes in. Through this passion cause, we are promoting literacy and diversity in books. We were able to donate thousands of books and support students on their learning journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ppgjbooks.com
- Instagram: @ppgjbooks
- Facebook: @ppgjbooks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artikatyner/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijRTk5jKL5SSAijesi8Byw