Live via Zoom:
Thursday, November 18, 7:30 PM ET
Book Launch: The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
With Nikkolas Smith and Namrata Tripathi, Founder and Publisher of Kokila
In conversation with Jason Reynolds
Co-presented by Greenlight Bookstore, BAMkids, and The Lit. Bar
Tickets: Free - $30

Join Greenlight, BAMkids, and The Lit. Bar for a special virtual presentation by illustrator and artist Nikkolas Smith and Namrata Tripathi, Founder and Publisher of Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Smith's lyrical new picture book, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water––published by Kokila––chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the U.S. Derived from The New York Times Magazine's groundbreaking 1619 Project and written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning Renée Watson, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity through the story of a young student who receives a family tree assignment in school. She learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, her family's ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders––but before that, they had a home, a land, a language. Nikkolas and Namrata will be joined in conversation by Jason Reynolds––the 2020-21 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature––for a memorable evening of storytelling, art, history, and conversation for families and readers of all ages, with an audience Q&A.

Some tickets include access to the event and a copy of The 1619 Project: Born on the Water. Note access-only, pickup, and shipping options when purchasing tickets (shipping available within the US only).

Book Recommended for Ages 7+, Event Recommended for Ages 9+.

Click here to purchase tickets!

Nikkolas Smith, a native of Houston, Texas, is an Artivist, picture book author, and Hollywood film illustrator. He is the author/illustrator of The Golden Girls of Rio, nominated for an NAACP Image Award, My Hair Is Poofy And That’s Okay, and World Cup Women. As a Black illustrator, Nikkolas is focused on creating captivating art that can spark important conversations around social justice in today’s world and inspire meaningful change. Many of his viral, globally shared and published sketches are included in his book Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas. Nikkolas also speaks on his Artivism at conferences, workplaces, and schools around the world, and leads workshops in digital painting, character, and movie poster design. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Learn more here: www.NIKKOLAS.art

Namrata Tripathi is Founder and Publisher of Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers dedicated to centering stories from the margins. She is the editor of #1 New York Times bestseller Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison and Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky; the Newbery Honor-winning middle grade novel The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani; and the National Book Award Finalists Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley, Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay, and The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor.

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books for young people, including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Long Way Down, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), and the upcomingStuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third). The recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds is also the current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He lives in Washington, DC.