Main Library hosts students who wrote books about Cincinnati living legends Nathaniel Jones, Oscar Robertson

Students from Bond Hill Academy and Winton Hills Academy are being honored by the National Youth Foundation 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Main Library. They are presenting their original picture book biographies to Civil Rights icon Judge Nathaniel Jones and NBA Hall of Fame legend Oscar Robertson.

The National Youth Foundation works with educators and community leaders to identify students to participate in its Youth Writing Workshop. During the course of six to eight writing workshops, students learn the process of working in teams to research, develop, write, edit, illustrate and publish an original book. All students involved earn a sense of pride and accomplishment from the development and publication of their culturally enriching team book. The books are published in hard copy and donated to local public libraries.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this special event that celebrates students learning to write their own books,” said Paula Brehm-Heeger, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library. “One of the core missions of the Library is childhood literacy, and what better way to inspire kids to read than by making them authors.”

This project was funded locally by Alpha Delta Boulé, the Cincinnati Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Former President Jimmy Carter wrote the introduction for the student book which will be presented to Jones, and NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson wrote the introduction for the student book which will be presented to Robertson.

PLEASE NOTE: While Jones and Roberston will be present at the event, Jimmy Carter and Magic Johnson WILL NOT be present.