Manifesto on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Picture Book Summit Manifesto on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We at Picture Book Summit recognize that that the work authors and illustrators do—writing books for children—is a critical part of creating a more just world. We know as picture book creators that our books are often a place where young readers can meet their very first friends, see themselves and their families reflected, and experience a universe where they can work out all the tough things happening in the world.

We recognize that the diversity of our country and our world is not reflected in the makeup of people working in the publishing industry today, as shown in the results of Lee & Low’s latest Baseline Survey on Diversity in Publishing from 2019. (Graphics and information are updated as new data and graphs become available.)

The lack of true diversity in publishing leads to fewer books featuring diverse characters. This is evidenced by the most recent Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) data, summarized in the following infographic. The most up-to-date illustration of the data is below. The most current data can be found on the CCBC’s website here.

In Picture Book Summit, we work as agents of change by affirming the need for increased representation in every facet of the children’s book industry, including but not limited to race/ethnicity, linguistic & cultural identity, disability, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, caste, geography, citizenship, appearance, veteran status, and religion.

Here at Picture Book Summit, we stand with our BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and all colleagues from communities that have been marginalized historically in publishing. We know we can and must do better to support them and books that represent the lived experiences of the creators (books written about a marginalized character who shares the author’s identity).

To this end, we commit to the following:

Welcome attendees of all backgrounds, from across the globe, to our events.
Continue to provide diversity in our events, with a focus on engaging speakers from underrepresented communities.
Donate a portion of our proceeds to causes that promote literacy in underserved communities.
Enforce our Code of Conduct at all events.
Limit questions for speakers to those related to craft or the specific topic that they are presenting.
Promote anti-racism, as defined by the National Museum of African American History & Culture as, “becoming actively conscious about race and racism and taking actions to end racial inequities in our daily lives.”
Provide resources for our attendees on anti-racism and diversity in children’s publishing.
Provide annual diversity scholarships.

We have taken time to reflect and listen, and to further identify how we can impact meaningful and lasting change in our company and in our society. We still have more to learn, and more to contribute to the cause of promoting diversity in all levels of publishing. We pledge to keep doing the work, and hope you will join us.

RESOURCES

Picture Book Summit Anti-Racism Statement – Contains Anti-Racism Reading List

Children’s Books By and/or About Black, Indigenous and People of Color Received by the CCBC – Cooperative Children’s Book Center (Statistics updated yearly)

Talking About Race. – National Museum of African American History & Culture

Where is the Diversity in Publishing? – Lee & Low 2019 Diversity Baseline Survey Results

Why We Need Diverse Books Is No Longer Using the Term #OwnVoices

The Conscious Kid. Instagram

We Need Diverse Books

Diversity in the Publishing Industry – The New York Times

How to Unlearn Everything – Alexander Chee for Vulture

Our Modern Minstrelsy – Kekla Magoon for The Horn Book

The Brown Bookshelf