Young, Black & Lit (YBL) began in 2018 as a grassroots initiative to increase access to books with Black characters in children’s literature. Since then, the organization has distributed over 145,000 books to children—primarily from communities in the Chicagoland area. Through programs like Lit Year and Lit Monthly, YBL provides families, schools, and community partners with high-quality, culturally relevant books that support both literacy development and cultural pride. Visit Young, Black and Lit
Grant history
Year awarded: 2025Period: 1 yearAmount awarded: $15,000Purpose: General Operating Support
