Hi There!
I’m Charnaie Gordon
Hi, I’m Charnaie and I love to read and write! I love connecting people with diverse and inclusive books, kid-friendly products and family experiences they will love. Let me help you instill a love of reading, lifelong learning, and curiosity in the children in your lives.
I’ve been reading aloud with both of my children daily since they were born. I understand the importance of reading aloud to children and want to foster a love of reading in my children.
I’m a wife, mom and a previous Computer Programmer by education. I have over 15 years of experience in the Information Technology field. I have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science/Information Technology. I’m also huge literacy advocate/champion. I currently work full-time in the Diversity & Inclusion space as a Content Creator, Speaker and Children’s Book Author. I also run my 501(c)(3) non-profit organization 50 States 50 Books, Inc.
PODCASTS I’VE BEEN FEATURED ON
Modern Mrs. Darcy | Brave Writer | Mama Now | Hey Sis! | TeaNTawk | Confetti Moments | Homeschool Unrefined | Marriage & Martinis
The Jillian Michaels Podcast | The Family Tree Podcast | The GrayArea Podcast | A Kids Podcast About| The Book Stoop
OTHER PRESS FEATURES
Yahoo | Oprah Daily | Good Morning America | Huffington Post | Time for Kids | Moneyish | Star 99.9 FM Radio | Laila Ali’s Blog | Black Love
You can also find me online at my personal website: http://charnaiegordon.com.
I give inspiring talks on Diversity and Inclusion, provide strategies for diversifying your bookshelves and empower families to instill a love of reading and curiosity in their children.
My Mission
My blog is where I expresses my creativity and passion for reading, diverse literature, and literacy. More than anything else, I care about connecting people with great books that they love because I believe that books are an absolute necessity. My passion for diversity and inclusion is driven by a desire for everyone to have his or her own voice, whether it be through books, television, or other media. I believe it’s important that people of all races, and all ethnicities, are able to see themselves represented and included.
My Work
In addition to my blog and social media, you can find my work at Brightly where I am a contributing writer. I’m also the founder of my children’s literacy organization 50 States 50 Books where they collect and donate diverse children’s books to deserving kids in each of the 50 U.S. states. Together me and my family collected and donated 2,500 diverse children’s books to children in need in each of the 50 U.S. states in just nine months in 2019. I am currently in the process of co-authoring my first children’s picture book slated for publication in 2021 with Sleeping Bear Press. I also have two additional children’s books publishing in 2021 entitled A Kids Book About Diversity and Race Cars: A Children’s Book About White Privilege. You can find my podcast, Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
My Manifesto
When I wake up in the morning, the very first thought on my mind is: “Thank you Lord for letting me live to see this day.” And after that: “Let’s conquer the day and work!”
My heart glows when hear my children laugh. I also love seeing the look on my kids’ faces when they figure out how to do something on their own or learn a new skill. My heart breaks whenever I hear about innocent children or animals being physically or sexually abused.
My followers/supporters are my book-loving community. More than anything else, I care about helping them to build their family culture around books and a love of shared reading with their children. In my world…books are an absolute necessity.
Eating good food is always a fabulous idea. Yes, I’m a total foodie, but you would never guess just by looking at me.
Reality television shows are overrated and settling for less than you deserve is a definite NO.
Fantasizing about having Olivia Pope’s wardrobe and meeting Oprah Winfrey is totally reasonable.
Striving for success and being the best version of me is a definite must.
But at the end of the day, family, love, good health, laughter, and the television show Good Girls are that really matter.
When I die, I want to be remembered as a person who instilled a love of reading, lifelong learning, and curiosity in her children. And who inspired others to do the same with their children.
What’s your manifesto?
