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By highlighting what inspired Keys to start “Books n Bros” at age 10, Drawn to Making it Happen motivates Craig and Jessica Williams (voiced by Philip Solomon and Lucia Cunningham) from the Emmy, GLAAD, and NAACP Image Award-nominated Cartoon Network series Craig of the Creek, to grab a book.
Last month, Cartoon Network announced the expansion of its content series Drawn To with new installments of monthly vignettes to be launched throughout the year featuring inspirational stories from real-life kids having fun and sharing common interests such as spending time with family and helping in their communities. The series seeks to elevate these voices, highlight diverse cultures, and provide a meaningful glimpse at the passions that bring kids together to celebrate unity and connectivity in a sometimes, uncertain world. Each Drawn To is produced in partnership with local artists to cultivate authentic connections with the topics being discussed.
Drawn to Making it Happen was created in collaboration with Black-owned, Chicago-based multicultural marketing agency, Burrell, with opening graphics designed by St. Louis-based Black art director and illustrator, Marco Cheatham. All Drawn To episodes are available on CN, the CN App, and across the network’s social platforms.
The Drawn to Change episode which premiered last month, featuring Martin Luther King Jr.’s granddaughter, 12-year-old Yolanda Renee King, will continue to air throughout February.
- “Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire” by Ty Allan Jackson
- “Scraps of Time” series by Patricia C. McKissack
- “Shuri: A Black Panther Novel” by Nic Stone
- “We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball” by Kadir Nelson
- “What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld
An avid reader, Keys has shared a list of book recommendations to honor of Black History Month include:
“Black History Month is important to me because it gives the opportunity to reflect and see people who look like me in an impactful light,” explained Keys. “It also gives permission to have a sense of pride to celebrate our African American history and culture. I am honored to be a part of this Drawn To project as a young Black boy in America during such an exciting time in history! The legendary and unsung heroes of social justice who aren’t here today would be proud.”
Source: Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is marking Black History Month with the premiere of Drawn to Making it Happen Saturday, February 6. The episode features Sidney Keys III, a 15-year-old entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Books n Bros, an African American literature book club for male youth ages 7-13 years old. Focused on promoting literacy among young Black boys and introducing them to positive representation in literature, Keys’ advocacy is paving the way for change by creating a place for boys to be mentored by their “Big Bros” and connect over a shared love for reading.
