Reading has always been a driving force in Dr. Artika Tyner’s life. As a child growing up in the Rondo neighborhood, the author and educator remembers taking the bus to the library with her friend and saving her money to buy books at the Salvation Army. Books were cherished in her family’s home, and the rituals of reading and storytelling wove a rich tapestry into their daily lives.

“It was a given for me that reading was not only this recreational activity, but reading was something that could give life,” she said. “It could activate my imagination”

But as an attorney working with incarcerated clients, Dr. Tyner learned that this focus on reading wasn’t part of everyone’s life. Many of her clients learned how to read while in prison, which left her asking a lot of questions. 

“Here I have clients that can’t even spell justice, but yet I’m talking about the pursuit of justice,” she said. “How do they even conceptualize it? What does it mean to them? How do they navigate the world?”

Dr. Tyner founded Planting People Growing Justice as one way to address the disparity of access to literacy education. The nonprofit hosts book giveaways, literacy programs, and workshops designed to inspire a love of reading in children while equipping educators and parents with resources to support literacy development. Through author visits, community events, and its own publishing initiatives, Planting People Growing Justice not only helps close literacy gaps but also amplifies diverse voices and stories, fostering a more inclusive and equitable literary landscape.

Representation matters, and Dr. Tyner is proud that Planting People Growing Justice is, among its many roles, a growing black-owned publishing house in an industry that is overwhelmingly white. She remembered the response that she got when she was trying to publish her first book. “I was told things like, ‘Well, I’m not sure black people read,’ she said. “It’s like, well, I’m standing in front of you and I read. Second thing is, even if we do read, you’re not sure if we have the disposable income to buy books. That seems like a myth.”

By producing books that reflect the richness of diverse experiences, the nonprofit not only shatters harmful myths but also ensures that children of all backgrounds can see themselves represented in the stories they read, something Dr. Tyner wishes she was able to experience more of as a young reader. 

“We’re ensuring that we’re creating both those mirrors and windows,” she said, “those mirrors where young people of color can see a positive representation of themselves on the pages of books, and those windows where we can ensure that all children learn across their differences and build cultural bridges.”

To learn more or support Planting People Growing Justice, visit their website or join a local event. Leaders Are Readers events featuring author read-alouds and book giveaways at the Rondo Library take place from 11 am to 1 pm on the first Saturday of every month.

Watch our full conversation with Dr. Artika Tyner above.

Interview conducted by Heather Quinn. Video and Article produced by Heather Quinn.