On September 8 at 7:00 p.m. MSK, tune in live to the American Center in Moscow’s YouTube channel and social media pages to enjoy a live conversation about storytelling with TeMika Grooms, a writer and children’s book illustrator with a passion for sharing stories. This talk is dedicated to International Literacy Day, marked on September 8 every year to address global illiteracy and to raise awareness and concern for literacy problems that exist in local communities and globally.

TeMika on writing and illustrating for children:

"Storytelling, in its many forms, is a powerful medium that can change the fabric of our society. It allows us to question ourselves and what we know about the world. It helps us to examine complex scenarios and imagine new outcomes. When artists create and collaborate with intention, they heal us and help us envision a new future."

About the guest speaker:

TeMika Grooms is a writer and illustrator with a passion for creating stories for young readers. She grew up reading comics and books by Shel Silverstein and honed her artistic training in traditional fine art. These creative experiences fuel her current work as she strives to bring animation, diversity, and expressive movement into her character design.

Even though she always had artistic talents, she attended college and practiced civil engineering for many years. She now devotes her time to writing, creating art, and supporting other creatives who want to do the same.   

In 2021, she was selected as an Illustration Mentee in the We Need Diverse Books Program and was a member of the first cohort for the Highlights Foundation and The Brown Bookshelf Amplify Black Stories program. Her latest illustrated book Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready! by Senator Raphael G. Warnock will be released by Philomel Books in November 2022. 

TeMika enjoys hiking, traveling, cultural dance, and playing in the garden.  She lives on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia with her cat and her two daughters, who she affectionately calls, Thing One and Thing Two.

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ALL AMERICAN CENTER IN MOSCOW EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE / ВСЕ МЕРОПРИЯТИЯ АМЕРИКАНСКОГО ЦЕНТРА В МОСКВЕ БЕСПЛАТНЫ

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This event will be livestreamed on the American Center in Moscow’s YouTube channel, VK group, and Telegram channel.

To receive an email reminder 30 minutes before the online event begins on September 8, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. MSK, register below and leave a valid email address.

To join other AMC Online programs, please check the American Center’s website and TimePad calendars.

Photo by Laura Rivera on Unsplash