PPGJLI Receives Kwanzaa Award for Representing the Principle of Imani

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Jan. 31, 2022 - PRLog -- Congratulations are in order for the non-profit organization, Planting People Growing Justice™ Leadership Institute (PPGJLI), founded by Dr. Artika Tyner. The organization is the recipient of the Kwanzaa Award from Kinara Park Kids®.

"We are honored to receive the Kwanzaa Award for embodying the principle of Imani (faith)," said Tyner. "Faith and purpose aligned when I founded Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. Thank you, Kinara Park Kids, for this recognition."

Kinara Park Kids® (https://kinaraparkkids.com/) is committed to cultural relevance and inclusion, developing community through positive imaging, and incorporating the principles of Kwanzaa year-round. What began as a way to address the reading crisis and provide more representation in books for children of color by PPGJLI, blossomed into a mission that has touched the lives of children around the world.

"We had the faith of a mustard seed to end the reading crisis and train the next generation of leaders," said Tyner. "Fast forward today, we have donated 8,000 books and reached over 5,000 students with our school visits."

The organization now conducts multiple youth writing competitions, its Leaders are Readers program, writing workshops, and the Sankofa Teach-In series and art exhibition. PPGJLI holds Women Leading Change development training and opened the Aya's Place retreat for writers. PPGJLI created the Black Doll Project and provides STEAM education through workshops, school visits, and an annual youth leadership summit. The organization partnered with Read in Color™ to promote literacy at the grassroots level.

PPGJLI's efforts also led to the founding of its own publishing platform and a unique online bookstore (https://planting-people-growing-justice-leadership-instit...). The organization is making a difference in the U.S. and around the world. PPGJLI's founder has made numerous visits to Ghana, hosted an annual youth leadership summit, and donated countless books to schools and libraries in Ghana and the U.S.

Tyner founded PPGJLI in 2014 and the non-profit organization has grown significantly, expanding its offerings to address the literacy crisis and to inspire the next generation of leaders. For the organization's founder, it's a labor of love that pays tribute to her grandmother, who instilled in her a love of reading and the confidence to follow her dreams.

"I can hear my late Grandma Nellie cheering me on singing 'We have come this far by faith…,' said Tyner.