New St. Louis elementary school’s literacy lab features Black authors and characters to strengthen student reading

Pershing Elementary School in University City near St. Louis opened a new literacy lab featuring comfortable spaces for cozying up with a book and a bright environment for young learners to hone their reading skills. The lab was created with funds from the Opportunity Trust in partnership with the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature. Some 90 percent of the authors and characters in the books featured in the literacy lab are people of color.  

“This space is supposed to elicit the joy of reading in all of the children. That’s what we want. This is a space for them to see themselves,” said Julius B. Anthony, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature.