ST PAUL, Minn. — A few thousand copies of a new children's book are now on book store and library shelves nationwide, in time for election season.
Dr. Artika Tyner wrote the book, "Kwame Votes," which she dedicates to St. Paul's Rondo community.
The author is also executive director of Planting People Growing Justice, a literary organization now in its eighth year. Tyner has written 35 books over the years and is partnering with Minneapolis-based Lerner Publisher Services to distribute "Kwame Votes" as part of a fall book collection.
The plot starts with Kwame voting in a student government election, and that leads to a larger conversation with his father and grandmother.
"The conversation isn't about partisanship or a particular candidate," Tyner told KARE 11 from the organization's new Writing House in St. Paul. "It's about the importance of issues that matter to the people that are there."
By the end of the book, the boy visits an Election Day polling place.
"He stands nearby as grandmother cast her vote," Tyner said. "He remembers that his mother is serving as an election judge. So he gets to see democracy literally in action."
Tyner says she hopes the story leads real families to vote.
"'She proudly placed the 'I voted' sticker on Kwame's sweater,'" she said, reading the final page aloud.
According to Pew Research Center, the number of Black eligible voters has gradually risen over the past 2 decades. The number this November is projected to reach 34.4 million, up 7% from 4 years ago. Black people are also projected to account for 14% of eligible voters in the upcoming election.
"We cannot ignore the fact that there were many impediments of access to the ballot box," Tyner said. "For instance, could you imagine being asked how many bubbles are in a bar of soap? So when we think about the history, we know that within the African-American community voting is something sacred. Voting is something that we know has to be protected."
As Tyner does her part, Urban League Twin Cities is focused on getting people registered. President and CEO Marquita Stephens says the organization's Young Professionals are posting Get Out the Vote content on social media.
She says Urban League is also reaching those newly allowed to vote in Minnesota.
"The Legislature passed a law that allowed ex-felons to vote," she said. "But I'm concerned about the people that have been off paper for 10 years or 20 years and have curated a habit of not voting, of not feeling part of the democratic process. Reaching those folks and making sure that they know yes, it's their turn, and we fought long and hard to include them."
For Tyner, growth in civic engagement is also key.
"That we'll get involved in the commissions and the boards and volunteerism, philanthropy," Tyner said. "And in fact, in the back of the book, there are some practical strategies on how young people can get involved."
Tyner's fall book collection also includes "Dreams of our Ancestors," a poem co-written by five Black children and writer Wisdom Mawusi, and "Jaheem's First Kwanzaa," a book exploring the importance of honoring cultural roots.