By gifting these books into libraries UMG and The Reading Agency hope to shine a light on Black authors and their creativity. A survey of writers across the UK found that while 13% of respondents identified as being from a minority ethnic background, only 9% earned more than £30,000 annually for their writing. Mark Whitwood is the founder and CEO of Active Sports Group, a trusted and recognised brand that provides fun, healthy and inclusive opportunities for young people interested in sport. Similarly for adults, studies show that writers of colour are ‘undervalued’ by the publishing industry, affecting the acquisition, promotion, and sales of their books. Research demonstrates that children’s books can support young people in the exploration of themselves and others, providing recognition for readers who can identify, and insight and understanding for those who don’t. In 2019, 8.68% of children’s book creators were people of colour, with just 2.86% being British people of colour. Research on children's books in the UK shows that published authors and illustrators do not reflect the UK population at large. By gifting the titles directly into public libraries, ‘Mark My Words’ will ensure that the books are freely accessible to those who will benefit from them most. The ‘Mark My Words’ campaign supports a joint commitment to social justice, championing the role that reading plays in tackling inequality. Selected collaboratively between UMG and The Reading Agency, the collection of engaging and accessible titles has been chosen to appeal to a broad audience of all reading levels. The titles, including both fiction and non-fiction books for both children and adults, will be donated to local authority hubs across the UK. The Reading Agency has partnered with UMG through the company’s UK Task Force for Meaningful Change (UKTFMC), which focuses on the unique challenges facing the UK’s Black community. Image by Mystic Art Design from PixabayAs Black History Month reaches its conclusion, The Reading Agency and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced the ‘Mark My Words’ campaign, providing copies of books by Black authors to libraries across the UK.
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