Our most popular summer program has always been Jeffery’s hip hop workshop. The powerful workshop is going virtual this summer in hopes of reaching even more students. The program is ideal for libraries, camps and youth agencies. For booking information, contact carmenoliver@the bookingbiz.com.

BY AND BY: CHARLES ALBERT TINDLEY, THE FATHER OF GOSPEL MUSIC–my picture book biography with illustrator Bryan Collier–has me reminiscing about the Black Church. I was baptized, confirmed and married at Union Memorial United Methodist Church in Baltimore. In Sunday School, we sang the spiritual, “This Little Light of Mine.” Afterwards, I joined my parents at worship service. I remember the hard pews, stained glass windows, altar flowers and pipe organ–one of the city’s finest. I also remember the colorful handheld fans that cooled adults and entertained little angels in the days before air-conditioning.

Big fans of fans, like Black Southern Belle, collect the artifacts–or at least compile pictures of them.

Coming soon: a cool fan activity.