The 2025 National African American Read-In saw more than 123,000 participants, with students in classrooms across the country engaging with thousands of books.
As NCTE’s just-released 2025 African American Read-In Report Card shows, this year saw a significant increase in participation, with more than 8,860 books read—quadrupling last year’s total!
More than 123,000 people in 29 states, the District of Colombia, and Nova Scotia attended an AARI event in 2025. And more than 1,060 events took place—a 34 percent increase from 2024.
Teachers and organizations across the country shared how students in their region engaged in the event using #AARI25 on social media. Check out these lovely photos from the Interfaith Neighbor’s Early Childhood Learning Center in Asbury Park, New York, and from the UNI College of Education.
The National African American Read-In (AARI), established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of NCTE, aims to make literacy a central part of Black History Month. The AARI centers African American books and authors, encouraging communities to come together to celebrate these stories.
Many event hosts have been participating in this annual celebration for a decade or longer. On the Literacy & NCTE blog, AARI Coordinator Talika Mock-Green shared how each year at her South Carolina school, Bells Elementary, preK through fifth grade students spend a day reading African American-centered stories. Additionally, the National Hook-Up of Black Women (NHBW) hosts read-ins and open mics, where local African American writers showcase their work.
NCTE also hosted events like a webinar with children’s author—and recipient of the 2025 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children—Charles R. Smith Jr., where he led a live classroom activity for students about writing and creativity. (If you enjoyed the webinar readings, check out this collection of poems that Smith curated for National Poetry Month.)
If you are looking to Build Your Stack, check out the most popular titles from this year:
- I Am Enough, written by Grace Byers and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
- I Am Ruby Bridges, written by Ruby Bridges and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
- Hair Love, written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
- I Am More Than, written by LeBron James and illustrated by Niña Mata
- I Am Every Good Thing, written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James
Keep the celebration going or prepare for the 2026 African American Read-In using the official AARI Toolkit. It contains tips and resources including curated book lists and ideas for classroom events.