Let’s Focus on Equity
Book to Action 2021 is a team of 110 participating library locations, 150+ participating library staff members, 36 unique Book to Action initiatives, and 35 California library jurisdictions! Book to Action 2021 initiatives tackle important issues in the community and encourage reading, community discussion, and action. The Big 3 themes that libraries will be focusing on in 2021 are equity, sustainability and health. Solano County Library will focus on equity.
Solano County Library Book to Action
In the past year, Americans have shown increased interest in confronting the history of racial injustice, mostly through reading and discussing books about racial inequality in our country. Solano County Library will continue to recognize and encourage such discussions within our community by featuring Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson in our Book to Action 2021 series. Just Mercy tells the story of a young lawyer who dedicates his life to defending the impoverished and incarcerated, especially those who have been wrongly condemned. Just Mercy asks readers profound questions about race, justice, and humanity. Through a series of discussions and programs, we hope to inspire conversations that examine how inequality affects both individual lives and our community.
Community Project
What does Just Mercy mean to you? Get involved!
(Thanks to Buckingham Magnet Charter High School for submitting these photos. We appreciate you reading Just Mercy with us!)
Did you enjoy reading Just Mercy? Did you enjoy listening to Just Mercy? Did you enjoy watching Just Mercy? Get creative and let us know!
Record your thoughts as a video. Paint or draw your reflections. Write a poem or essay. Take a photo with the book.
Anything you submit gives us permission to use it in a community-led expression of stories. Our Library will accept people’s reactions to Just Mercy and share them either on this web page, or on our various social media platforms.
Please send anything for this community-led expression of creative stories to SCLBookToAction@gmail.com
Please adhere to these guidelines when submitting a video for this community project.
Enjoy Other Book To Action Events
Speaker and Performance featuring Rhodessa Jones and the Medea Project – Hayward Public Library
Saturday, May 15, 2021. 2 p.m.
Performer, teacher, director Rhodessa Jones is Co-Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed, performance company Cultural Odyssey. Jones founded and directs The Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women, an award-winning performance workshop committed to the personal and social transformation of women, now in its 23rd year.
Jones is a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from California College of the Arts, SF Bay Guardian’s Lifetime Achievement Award, SF Foundation Community Leadership Award, Non-Profit Arts Excellence Award by the SF Business Arts Council, and an Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theater.
We will show an excerpt from the documentary film “This Ain’t Your Mother’s Theater Company,” a searing dramatic narrative of the deep connections between women’s health and reproductive rights. It addresses the stark realities of rape, living with HIV, and women finding their voices in society.
Members of the Medea Project will join Jones for a live performance, and they will engage with the audience in a Q&A.
Past Events
Zoom Book Discussion of Just Mercy for Adults
Wednesday, March 31, 2021. 12 – 1 p.m.
Zoom book discussion of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. This book discussion will look at many of the topics and themes that arise in this monumental book. Discussion was intended for adult participants.
Jane Elliott on Anti-Racism
Monday, April 5, 2021. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Jane Elliott is an internationally known teacher, lecturer, and diversity trainer. She is well-known for her Blue Eyes & Brown Eyes exercise, along with exposing prejudice and bigotry for what it is. She joined us to speak on the topic of anti-racism via Zoom.
Zoom Book Discussion of Just Mercy for Teens
Thursday, April 15, 2021. 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Zoom book discussion of Just Mercy: Adapted for Young Adults by Bryan Stevenson. This book discussion will look at many of the topics and themes that arise in this monumental book. Discussion will last one hour and is intended for teenage participants.
Zoom Equal Justice Initiative Presentation: EJI’s Sofia McDonald Presents on Criminal Justice Reform
Friday, April 16, 2021. 2:30 p.m.
Sofia McDonald, Law Fellow from the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), joins us via Zoom to speak about their current work, including criminal justice reform.
EJI is the nonprofit founded by Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson; they’re committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
Ibram X. Kendi Special Virtual Event
Wednesday. April 21, 2021. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
In collaboration with CSU Chico’s Book in Common program, OC Public Libraries, and additional community partners focused on reading and discussing How to Be An Antiracist, a virtual conversation is scheduled with author Ibram X. Kendi for Wednesday, April 21, 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Participating libraries and community members were invited to join others across the state for this special event.
Zoom Panel Discussion: Creating a Bridge Between Compassion and Justice
Wednesday, April 28, 2021. 6:30 p.m.
Zoom discussion on the bridge between compassion and justice featuring Elena D’Agustino, Shanan Danley, Eugene Durrah, and Dr. Desi Barbour. Panel discussion will be moderated by Solano County Library’s Anika Johnson-Crittendon.
Featured individuals have a background in legal issues/services, reentry and recidivism, mental health, and the education of structural and institutional racism.
*Please note: guest speakers do not reflect the views or positions of the library, its officers, or its employees.
Just Mercy Library Materials
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption Book
- Just Mercy: Adapted for Young Adults Book
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption Book on CD
- Just Mercy DVD
- Just Mercy Blu-ray
- Just Mercy eBook (OverDrive)
- Cuestión de justicia eBook en español (OverDrive)
- Just Mercy: Adapted for Young Adults eBook (OverDrive)
- Just Mercy (Movie Tie-In Edition) Audiobook (OverDrive)
Special thanks to the Solano County Library Foundation for providing funds for additional copies of Just Mercy.
Community Partners
- Five Keys Schools and Programs
- Legal Services of Northern California
- Solano Community College (including S.O.A.R – Students Overcoming Adversity and Recidivism)
- Rio Vista High School
- Willie B. Adkins Scholars Program
- Griffin Academy
- Jesse Bethel High School
- Buckingham Charter Magnet High School
- Armijo High, Rodriguez High, Fairfield High and Public Safety Academy
- Mount Calvary Baptist Church
- Solano County Alternate Public Defender Program
- Solano County Community Action for Race Equity
- Workforce Development Board of Solano County