Corey Dupree and a young reader at the Harrisburg Book Festival
Growing up, Corey Dupree loved reading book series like Harry Potter, Goosebumps and The Chronicles of Narnia.
But for as much as he loved the stories and the action, the characters were never described with features that looked like his.
“They could describe Ron Weasley with his red curly hair and Slappy, the doll from Goosebumps, but not once was there someone who looked like me,” he said. “The first time I can remember reading a book that had a Black protagonist was in sixth grade.”
Representation in literature is something that Dupree is passionate about now, as an adult with kids of his own. Not only is it important that Black and brown children see themselves reflected in what they read, but it’s crucial that all kids are exposed to diversity, he believes.
As a teacher and community member, he’s seen the effects of a child lacking that exposure.
Dupree, of Palmyra, remembers a day at the playground with his children, when several white middle-schoolers yelled a racial slur at his family. Dupree spoke with the neighborhood kids, sharing why the word was hurtful and explaining the meanings of words like “racism” and “diversity.”
“It led me to think about how I can impact my community,” he said.
In 2021, Dupree started Layers of Black History, an organization dedicated to promoting literacy and hosting educational events for adults and youth. Dupree’s main focus—collecting and distributing diverse books.
The initiative started with Dupree collecting books to donate to his local school district in Palmyra, but has since grown to support several other area districts, such as Harrisburg, Steelton-Highspire and Milton Hershey School, which he attended. Books also go to community organizations and businesses.
To raise funding to purchase books and for other events, Dupree hosts two annual events, The Layers of Black History Gala and The Little Layers of Black History Gala—one catering to adults and the other to youth.
In March, Dupree, along with his daughter Mariah, 12, will host the second annual Little Layers gala at the Keystone Building in the state Capitol complex.
And while Dupree has been known to throw a good party, his daughter may have the best intel on the target audience.
“I get to help him plan it all out because I know what kids like,” Mariah said.
Just in November and December, Layers of Black History donated 3,200 books. Those included books like “Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black,” “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You,” “Hair Love” and “The Swag Is in the Socks.”
With help from the upcoming gala, they hope to acquire over 6,400 books in the coming year. Money raised will also support the organization’s scholarship fund, as well as events like haircare workshops and an upcoming conference series aimed at educating and supporting men who are raising Black boys.
The gala will include author book readings, craft stations, STEAM activities, food and about a dozen vendor tables, among other activities. Dupree expects around 200 people to attend.
Ultimately, with each book purchased and donated, he hopes to inspire youth and adults to enjoy reading. Additionally, he hopes that students of color get to see themselves reflected in the books they read and that white students get to learn from new perspectives.
With encouragement from her dad, Mariah has followed in Dupree’s footsteps.
“I’ve been reading for a long time now,” she said. “It makes me proud when I see more Black people in books.”
When children can relate to the books they read, they become more engaged, which can ultimately increase reading scores, Dupree said, and just maybe, kids will be inspired to become writers and illustrators themselves.
“Libraries were my safe space,” he said. “When a student shares that they don’t like reading or they haven’t found the right book, that’s a personal challenge for me now to get them to engage in reading.”
The Little Layers of Black History Gala will take place on March 16. For more information or to purchase tickets (ticket sales close on Feb. 20), visit www.layersofblackhistory.com.
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