MEMBER FOCUS: Erica Richardson
Erica Richardson, founder of Culture Books and Supervisor of the Avondale branch of the Chattanooga Public Library
The only thing Erica Richardson enjoys more than reading is sharing her passion for literature with others. So, it was fitting that we chatted in the reading nook – one of her favorite spots in Common House Chattanooga.
During the nine years she spent teaching elementary-age kids in Hamilton County Schools, she did her best to share her passion for books with her students the same way her eighth grade English teacher, Ms. Fowler, introduced her to the vivid poems of Shel Silverstein. But it wasn’t always easy.
“As a teacher, it felt so hard to communicate and to try to make sure the kids got what they needed. A lot of the books that we had did not have any type of good representation for the kids I was teaching,” Erica recalls. “Also, a lot of the kids that I served during my time teaching didn't have books at home.”
Of course, there are public libraries where kids can check out books and punch their tickets to other worlds with ease. Erica is well aware of the role libraries play in the community. Growing up in Memphis, her mother took her and her siblings to the library every week to check out the latest editions of the Baby-Sitters Club and Goosebumps. Fast forward to today, and life has come full circle for Erica; she’s the supervisor of the newly-opened Avondale branch of the Chattanooga Public Library. And she’s grateful for the work they do there to reach the community.
But, she says, “I wanted to do more. I wanted to be able to bridge the gap between literacy and culture, expand their home libraries, and be a hub for teachers, parents, and students.”
In 2019, she decided to bridge that gap by starting Culture Books. With this venture, Erica is able to connect with area schools on literacy and book-related initiatives. There have even been interviews with authors. And, like most of us during the past two years, she embraced video technology and began doing virtual readings with kids over Zoom. However, Erica provides a more tactile experience by hosting book giveaways to children in the community. In fact, every day in February, Culture Books has given away a book to a child in the community. And to celebrate Black History Month, Erica made a point to celebrate Black authors who write stories with characters who look like her and many of the students she works with.
The primary purpose of Culture Books isn’t about improving test scores or making reading feel like homework. “Having a love for books doesn't mean that you read so fast or read the best,” says Erica. “It just means that you want an adventure, and there's one in a book for whatever level of skill you possess and it's there for you. I can also help you increase your reading confidence.”
As the “culture” part of her organization implies, Erica sees reading as a gateway to other communities, countries, traditions, and languages. Maybe if a child reads about another culture or a new layer of their own, they’ll be inspired to seek out those kinds of experiences in life. Erica certainly does. The self-described introvert with extrovert tendencies loves meeting new people, discovering new cuisines and music, and attending festivals.
One way Erica connects with other people and cultures is through Common House. “I think it’s so cool to see the diverse people who come here and to meet new people,” she says. “I’m pretty sure I’ve met people here that I’ve never met in the community when I’m just out and about. I just love that experience.”
If you want to keep up with Culture Books or connect with Erica on ways you can support her work, follow @Culture_Books_Literacy on Instagram and find them on Facebook at Culture Books.