If a collection like this had existed when I was a child, it would have meant the world to me. I had access to books, yes—but not always to the ones that told our stories. I had to dig to find us. These books make sure the next generation doesn’t have to. They give teachers tools to expand the narrative and help students fall in love not just with reading, but with learning through story. What excites me most is the ripple effect. When children see themselves reflected, when they feel seen and valued, they show up differently in the world. They speak with confidence. They dream bigger. They read more. They write more. And that’s where
change begins—on the page, in the heart, and in the classroom. Books changed my life. I believe they can change the world.
ABOUT KARYN PARSONS Karyn Parsons is best known as the character Hilary Banks on the long-running television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air . Today, she is the founder of Sweet Blackberry, an award- winning series of children’s animated films and books sharing stories of unsung Black heroes in history. The films feature narration from such notable talents as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, Chris Rock, and Laurence Fishburne. They have been screened on HBO and Netflix and are enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. Karyn has also authored the Sweet Blackberry picture books Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight and Saving the Day , which tells the story of how Garrett Morgan invented the traffic signal. Karyn’s debut novel, How High the Moon , was released in March 2019; her latest novel, Clouds Over California , hit bookshelves in July 2023; and her YA debut, Blue Beach , was acquired by Little, Brown and is scheduled for a summer 2026 release.
Teacher’s Guide • 19
Sample Teacher’s Guide | 13
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