NEWBERY MEDALIST MEG MEDINA FUNDS NEW GRANT FOR LATINX WRITERS

Grant is Open to Writers of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American Heritage

LOS ANGELES April 1, 2021 The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators announces a new opportunity for writers of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American Heritage funded by Newbery Medal winner, New York Times bestselling author, and SCBWI Board of Advisors member, Meg Medina. Volemos: The Meg Medina Grant will be awarded to one manuscript submitted by a writer of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage. Submissions will be accepted in Spanish or English from April 1-30, 2021.

This award is open to authors who are early in their career (1-3 traditionally published books) or not yet traditionally published. The winner will receive $500 along with a one-year SCBWI membership, registration to the Summer Spectacular conference, and a coaching session to further their creative career. All applicants must be current SCBWI members and have heritage from the following countries/territories: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Spain, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Medina commented, "I’m so happy to partner with SCBWI on Volemos: The Meg Medina Grant as a way to support early career members of Hispanic/Latinx/Ibero-American heritage. Stories can, indeed, help people’s spirits soar. It is my greatest hope that working together, SCBWI and I can help winners of this new award take flight in their lives as authors.”

SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver said, “SCBWI is so happy to work with our Board of Advisors member Meg Medina to establish this grant that will not only help launch careers but will result in children’s books that encompass a greater world view and portray the richness of culture and heritage.”

This grant was created by Medina in collaboration with SCBWI’s Spanish Language Committee. April Powers, SCBWI’s Equity & Inclusion officer commented, "Spanish is the second most spoken language by our members. As the SCBWI continues to grow and support writers from every background, we are so appreciative that creators like Meg make opportunities like this possible."

EZRA JACK KEATS FOUNDATION AND SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS JOIN FORCES TO CREATE BIPOC ILLUSTRATORS PRIZE

Recipient Will Be Announced at SCBWI Summer Conference July 31-August 2, 2021

LOS ANGELES March 29, 2021 The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and SCBWI announce the creation of the SCBWI/Ezra Jack Keats BIPOC Showcase Prize for Illustration. The prize will be awarded annually to one self-identified BIPOC (Black Indigenous People Of Color) illustrator who participates in the SCBWI Summer Conference Portfolio Showcase and has illustrated no more than 4 books. The recipient will receive $2,500 courtesy of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. SCBWI will provide 10 scholarships for the Portfolio Showcase to illustrators who meet the prize’s criteria, and who are attending the Summer Conference. The prize’s judging committee will be comprised of members of the Summer Conference faculty and members of SCBWI’s Board of Advisors.

Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation said, “The EJK Foundation is excited to work with SCBWI to launch the SCBWI/Ezra Jack Keats/BIPOC Showcase Prize for Illustration this summer. Our organizations share so many goals, including the identification and support of new talent who will expand diversity within the world of children's book publishing. Ezra wanted the royalties from his books to do good in the world. We believe he would have been thrilled to have his name affiliated with SCBWI and to know his work was providing encouragement and support to artists also dedicated to reflecting our multicultural society.”

SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver commented, “Ezra Jack Keats was an early member of SCBWI and a speaker at several of our conferences. His beautiful books and devotion to the inclusion of all kinds of characters leave a legacy of justice, kindness, and integrity. We are proud to honor him with this award and to promote the values that were so prominent in his work.”

SCBWI will present the prize at the Summer Conference kickoff of its year-long 50th-anniversary celebration, July 31-August 2, 2021.