BENNYS BOOKS

Stories play a central role in developing formative experiences in the lives of many children. By promoting literature to children at a young age within the private and public sphere encourages the beginning of independent reading. Ideally, the practicality of picturesque books with minority-driven protagonists should not be exclusively for Latino children. All children should be exposed to different cultures in literature as some authors have suggested that children stories offer a way to imagine other worlds and differing “suppositions.” By exposing all children to these imaginary tales, it enables children to get immersed in alternative realities and emerge as slightly different people. By creating these books with diversity and giving them to all children, we are changing the formative years of a child's development for the better.

This is a three-step process. The first step is to create and publish books that promote diversity rather than stereotypical roles such as the hot-blooded sexy characters, macho men, gang-members, drug dealers, or undocumented immigrants. These books will be sold and also given out for free to those in the community. Second, would be to create programs in the community to develop kids in their formative years. Benny's Books is looking to start a leadership program (Ages 11-12) with four main focuses: (1) Leadership, (2) Creative Writing, (3) Art, and (4) Physical Fitness. Last, would be to expand the environment for emerging artists and authors looking to create diversity and have an authentic story to tell. With these three steps, poor education attainment, poverty, and incarceration for Latinos will go down.

By publishing our own books, and cutting out the middle-man, we have full autonomy over the products we deliver to ensure there is no white-washing involved in the process. Lastly, the President of our nonprofit has significant experience with nonprofits and personal involvement in the community to ensure that the message stays afloat, as well as being the author and illustrator of the first major project of Benny's Books. The Great Pablo P.I. is the first major project of Benny's Books aimed at creating major characters of Hispanic descent in order to create more diversity and cultural awareness. For every book sold (traditional format only), another book will be given out for free.

We are continuing all three of our steps by vigorous outreach to companies, other organizations, and those who believe in the cause and donate. Benny's Books has already published two children books on Amazon since May 05, 2018. With this accomplishment, we are putting other book publishing companies on notice that diversity matters. We also had a successful four-day fundraising drive where we were able to get over 700$ to continue our programs. We have also worked diligently on compliance, ensuring our website meets the high standards for a nonprofit, and working with other educators and artists around the DFW area to put together a summer leadership program for kids 11-12.