General | February 4

DeKALB, Ill. – In honor of Black History Month, the Northern Illinois University Athletic Department has partnered with the DeKalb Public Library through its "Highlighting Black Voices" program to shine a spotlight on children's books written and/or illustrated by African Americans and other people of the African diaspora.
 
As part of the program, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier, head coaches Thomas Hammock (football) and Ray Gooden (volleyball) and student-athletes Kenyae Majors (women's track and field), Haley Hoppe (women's soccer) and Janae' Poisson (women's basketball) were each recorded reading a children's book by a Black author. The videos will be posted on the DeKalb Public Library's website (www.dkpl.org), YouTube Channel and Facebook page throughout the month of February.  The videos of Hammock and Hoppe are currently posted.
 
"NIU Athletics is proud to partner with the DeKalb Public Library during Black History Month through the 'Highlighting Black Voices' program," said NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier. "What a great opportunity to highlight books written by Black authors for children in our community.  Although we couldn't read to the kids in person this year, I had a lot of fun recording the book as a guest reader, and I know our coaches and student-athletes felt the same."
 
Senior Associate Athletic Director Courtney Vinson coordinated the project for NIU and said the videos show Huskie coaches and student-athletes in a different light.
 
"The DeKalb Library Black History Month, Black Voices event provided an amazing chance to showcase NIU student-athletes, head coaches, and athletic director in areas outside of their profession and field of play," Vinson said. "Children are able to watch and listen to them read books by Black authors in a COVID-19 safe environment while creating excitement about reading and hopefully cultivating young Huskie fans."
 
Majors, a senior education major from Burlington, N.C., appreciated the chance to connect from afar with youth in the community.
 
"I was excited to be chosen in the Black Voices event with the DeKalb Library because it gave me an opportunity to highlight black authors and illustrators where I was able to engage virtually with young children in DeKalb community," she said.
 
The library, which is open seven days a week, will also post interviews with other community members from the government and business sectors as part of the Highlighting Black Voices Program. For more information, please contact Laura at lauraw@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.
 
-- NIU --
 
Thomas Hammock Reads The King of Kindergarten