Fearing federal DEI policies, Waterloo schools withdrew from African American reading event
Kyle Werner- The Waterloo Community School District withdrew from UNI's annual African American Read-In, citing concerns about potential violations of federal directives against diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- In response, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones organized an alternative read-in event through her organization, The 1619 Freedom School.
- The controversy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding DEI initiatives in education and the impact of federal policies on local school districts' decisions regarding curriculum and events.
Nearly 3,500 first graders from 73 schools across Iowa virtually joined the University of Northern Iowa's 19th annual African American Read-In, seeing a magic show, participating in a reading of a New York Times bestselling book and a draw-along with the book's illustrator.
But the first graders in the Waterloo Community School District weren't among them. The district withdrew from the event, citing federal directives that condemn diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.
Their withdrawal has prompted Nikole Hannah-Jones, Waterloo native and Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of "The 1619 Project," to host her own read-in in Iowa this weekend.
Bryan Collier, who illustrated "All Because You Matter," read the book as part of his draw-along during the Feb. 20 Read-In event. The book, written by Tami Charles and published in 2020, is a "lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will," according to the book's description.
UNI chose the book for this year's event, though "All Because You Matter" was not included in the suggested list of books the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English provided for the 2025 event. It has been included in previous years, NCTE communications director Allie Ciaramella said.
"It is important to note that our annual AARI book lists are not meant to be a restrictive selection of books to choose from, but rather a starting point for teachers or others looking for ideas of books to feature," Ciaramella said in a statement.
Adam Amdor, assistant director of communications for UNI, said in a statement the NCTE's list of recommended books is not considered to be comprehensive.
"Organizers begin the process of choosing a book up to a year ahead of the event, as national authors and illustrators are often scheduled months in advance," Amdor said. "The final selection ultimately comes down to the availability and fee requirements of the author."
The Trump administration announced on Feb. 14 that K-12 schools and colleges had until Feb. 28 to comply with a sweeping and vague order to root out diversity, equity and inclusion on their campuses or risk losing federal funding. The read-in event took place on Feb. 20.
Because the book was not on the 2025 list and possibly included violations of President Donald Trump's order, the district's legal team advised it to withdraw from the event because it may not comply with the new federal directives prohibiting DEI in public education, Waterloo Community Schools spokesperson Emily Frederick told the Register.
Waterloo, a minority-majority school district with 62% non-white students, according to current enrollment data, did not want to risk facing federal backlash and losing funding, she said.
"Losing federal funding is not an option for Waterloo schools or any district," Frederick said. "It's a wonderful event. We've always sent kids to it. It's a nationally recognized event. The book UNI chose was not on the national events suggested books list. It was separate from that."
Waterloo Schools announced its withdrawal from the event the day before in an email to elementary school teachers. The email also requested teachers return the already-received 808 books to the school's principal.
Instead of distributing the books to students, they were sent to 17 community organizations, according to a list obtained by the Register.
"It's not a decision that we enjoyed having to make," Frederick said. "We pivoted and thanks to many of our community partners, the books will still be shared in our community."
The 1619 Freedom School to host read-in in response to the district's withdrawal
The 1619 Freedom School, a Waterloo-based after-school literacy program focused on increasing literacy rates through books on Black American history and culture, is hosting its own read-in on Saturday in response to Waterloo Community Schools withdrawing from UNI's event.
When the school's founder, Hannah-Jones, who also co-author the children's book "Born on the Water" with Renee Watson, found out about the withdrawal, she contacted fellow authors about putting together their own read-in.
"We’re reinforcing the value and importance of Black History Month, Black books, and telling Black stories for children of all races in a political climate where these commemorations and texts are being banned," Hannah-Jones said in a statement.
The first 300 families to show up to the event will receive a tote bag with a copy of "All Because You Matter" and other books. There also will be a wide variety of books available to take home.
The 1619 Freedom School obtained 250 copies of "All Because You Matter" from the school district when it redistributed its copies.
The event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Waterloo West High School’s Kersenbrock Auditorium, will include a reader's theater of "Born on the Water" by Hannah-Jones and Watson. The event also will include readings of "I Am Every Good Thing" by Derrick Barnes, "The Day You Begin" by Jacqueline Woodson, and "All Because You Matter."
Books read at the event have each been subject to book bans but not in Iowa, according to the Register's database of books school districts have removed from library shelves in response to Senate File 496, which bans books with sex acts from schools.
"Trump’s executive order and state bans like SF 496 have put school districts such as Waterloo’s in the position of having to make untenable decisions in order not to lose the essential funding that they rely on to serve their students. It is up to communities to step up and protect our children’s freedom to learn," Hannah-Jones said in the statement.
The 1619 Freedom School also will host a free community screening of "Nickel Boys," an Academy Award-nominated film based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name on Thursday at the Marcus Crossroads Cinema. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the film begins at 6 p.m.
"With Black history and Black books and Black stories coming under attack, exposing our community to this film that reminds us of our past could not come at a more critical time," Hannah-Jones said in a release.
"But just as important is the ability to affirm Black excellence for the children of my hometown by giving them the opportunity to learn and engage in conversation with an Academy Award-nominated writer who looks like them," Hannah-Jones said. "This type of exposure expands what our children believe they are capable of and has always been part of my dream of the 1619 Freedom School."
Following the film, Hannah-Jones will host a conversation with the director and writer, RaMell Ross.
What is the African American Read-In?
The Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English started the African American Read-In in 1990 as a way to make literacy a part of Black History Month, according to the National Council of Teachers of English website.
Read-ins are a gathering where books written by African American authors are read. The events can be hosted by schools, churches, libraries, bookstores or community organizations.
The University of Northern Iowa started participating in the African American Read-In in 2006, led by emeritus professor of early education Gloria Kirkland-Holmes, who died in 2022. She started the event by reading to a small group of children in Rod Library.
The event, now organized by assistant professor of literacy education Taraneh Matloob Haghanikar, took place online this year and nearly 3,500 first-graders from 169 classrooms in 26 counties attended the event, according to a news release.
In 2024, 3,100 first-graders from 150 classrooms in 29 counties participated.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.
This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy and to add a gallery.