Next Generation Youth Theatre (NGYT) believe that young Black people deserve to be able to access Theatre and the Arts, have their voices amplified and be able to express themselves and see themselves represented in stories and on stage.
NGYT is committed to increasing opportunities and access for Young Black People and audiences in events, activities and performances in Luton and within NGYT. We are working to ensure our cohort is representative of Luton’s celebrated Diversity.
NGYT is a place that Young Black People belong, are heard and celebrated.
We will donate all funds raised by The Reading Race to The Black Ticket Project.
What is The Black Ticket Project?
The Black Ticket Project was created in 2018 by cultural producer Tobi Kyeremateng (https://tobikyere.com/). The Black Ticket Project gives young Black people the opportunity to experience the theatre for free or at a discounted rate, introducing them to new forms of expression that truly represent them.
For more information see: https://www.patreon.com/blackticketproject
What is The Reading Race?
The Reading Race is a project that invites you to read, research and learn more about Black Culture, History and Anti-Racism. All funds raised will go to The Black Ticket Project.
How do I get involved?
All you have to do is purchase a book or choose a book you already own that shares the stories of Black characters and shines a light on Black Culture, History or Anti-Racism. Then simply donate to the Crowdfunder, read and share!
You can:
-Go Solo: Purchase a book, make a donation and show your commitment to the project.
-Run the Marathon: Purchase a book, read in a set length of time, e.g. 24 hours and ask people to sponsor your race by donating.
-Be Generous: You can Purchase a book, donate and gift the book to someone else to take part.
-Run the Relay: You can purchase a book, donate and then pass on your book and nominate someone to do the same- don’t let them drop the baton!
-Run a Book Club: You might be part of an organisation or group, purchase some books, donate as a collective and host a book club online.
-Sharing is Caring: You can share a book you already own with someone else and together make a donation.
What should I read?
Below are just some of the books we recommend:
- Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
- Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- We Need to Talk About Race by Ben Lindsay
- With The Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
- Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
- How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold
- Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander - The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
by Grace Lee Boggs - The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga
- When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelso
- Young people and children:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/coretta-scott-king-book-award-winners
https://www.embracerace.org/resources/where-to-find-diverse-childrens-books
Then what? We would love for you to share your love of books and what you read with your family, friends and community online:
Spread the word by uploading a picture of your book online, @ the authors and contributors, #TheReadingRace and share this Crowdfunder link to donate.
How you choose to take part is up to you. The most important thing is that we must run this race together. There is only one race to be won #BlackLivesMatter.