The Stars of the SHOWTIME Drama ‘The Chi’ and Author Jason Reynolds Visit Chicago with First Book
> Blog > The Stars of the SHOWTIME Drama ‘The Chi’ and Author Jason Reynolds Visit Chicago with First Book We are proud to have taken part in one of the many ways SHOWTIME® gives back to the city that serves as the setting of their hit television show, “The Chi”.
Through First Book, SHOWTIME® gifted approximately 10,000 new, contemporary, diverse books to public schools in Chicago’s South Side area. More than 50 Chicago Public School ninth-grade teachers will receive individual collections of 200 Simon & Schuster Children’s titles!
In addition to books and resources, 500 Chicago public school kids received a special surprise in April when the show’s cast members Shamon Brown Jr. and Michael V. Epps joined New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds for a live assembly.
Every student in attendance received a copy of Jason’s book “For Everyone“ and a backpack.
On the special event, Reynolds stated, “I am honored and humbled to be before our young people and to once more affirm their existence, let alone their brilliance and value. That affirmation has always been the sole mission of my work, to use honest and relatable stories to validate their complex experiences. Simply put, I think of my books as billboards that say, I SEE YOU. WE SEE YOU.”
“I am honored and humbled to be before our young people and to once more affirm their existence, let alone their brilliance and value. That affirmation has always been the sole mission of my work, to use honest and relatable stories to validate their complex experiences.
Author Jason Reynolds
We’re so proud that 500 kids from Chicago’s South Side are starting their summer with new backpacks and Jason Reynold’s books in their hands. We want to thank everyone who had a part in helping create this incredible experience for Chicago’s youth: SHOWTIME® , Chicago Public Schools, and Simon & Schuster Publishing.
“As we reflect the people of Chicago, we also want to serve the people of Chicago,” said “The Chi” executive producer, Common.
Thanks to our partners, Chicago kids will start this summer ready to read!