Dennis is a San Francisco native and Bay Area sports fan who is always down to share a fun fact! As a history buff, he loves sharing stories and teaching people about the joys, wonder, and drama behind historical events. At 826 National, Dennis will be working closely and supporting with our Chief Development Officer, Amira Seaboch, and our Director of Finance and Operations, Abbey Hayward, with Salesforce and prospect research.
Get to know Dennis below!
I love books! When I was a kid my mom only allowed me to stay up past my bedtime if I was reading a book. I developed a love for the worlds and histories inside these stories, and that has only grown as I’ve gotten older. I’ve always been a big believer in helping kids receive tools and opportunities they normally wouldn’t have access to. All kids deserve our help and fostering an environment for their success is precisely the mission of 826 National.
I personally experienced the advantages of engaging in a program like 826. In high school, I participated in a debate program created by the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) where I acquired numerous skills that continue to benefit me today. I view 826 in a similar way and am excited to spread our mission and grow our organization.
I’m looking forward to developing new skills and experiences that will help me become a better Development coordinator. I’m specifically excited at becoming proficient at Salesforce and the various tools used in prospect research.
My favorite childhood books (I can’t choose one) are The Lord of Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
History, sports, or just general trivia
]]>This Valentine’s Day, show your favorite people how you feel with 826 Valentine’s Day cards featuring sweet words of love from 826 students across the network. From “my heart holds funny words” to “I love you, and I hope you love me and don’t think I’m annoying too,” our students’ words perfectly capture all the thrills and spills of love.
Share the love of 826 by printing and sharing these Valentines with your friends, colleagues, and loved ones. They’re perfect for your young ones to use as classroom Valentines and for you to hand deliver around the neighborhood! On Valentine’s Day, digitally send 826 Valentines by reposting and tagging your friends and family on Instagram and Facebook through 826 National’s social media at @826National.
]]>“At 826, we think a lot about the question of who gets to learn to write in this country. We also think about what impact the answer to that question has on the personal, academic, and professional trajectories of lives, and of our communities. We know the transformative power and possibility of writing, and certainly of poetry,” shared 826 National CEO Laura Brief.
Partnering with the Academy of American Poets, we’re excited to support the dialogue between young writers and distinguished poets in classrooms nationwide, and to champion teachers and the words of their students in the process.
—826 National CEO, Laura Brief
Read to learn more about our partnership.
Free supplementary resources from 826 Digital are now available online:
Dear Poet 2024 is accepting submissions beginning today, January 11, through April 22, 2024. Poems in both English and Spanish are included in the series to encourage participation from bilingual students.
Learn more about the project at poets.org/national-poetry-month/dear-poet-2024.
]]>Download the full statement below!
]]>Across the country, young people are showing their elected leaders that they do not need to vote to start creating a brighter future. Together with Javier Zamora, we’re inviting students to share what matters most to them and their communities with the next President of the United States through Javier’s 826 Digital Watch and Write video, “Hear Me Out.”
“When I was a student, I felt like I didn’t have a voice,” shared Javier Zamora. “As a young undocumented student in California, I couldn’t even imagine a president listening to me. And with this prompt, I know that whoever gets to be president can open this book and listen to what YOU have to say in any language.”
Taking inspiration from Javier’s 826 Digital lesson, “Hear Me Out,” students can explore this prompt in any language and in any written form: a letter, poem, reflection, song, etc. Ideas include:
Students ages 8-18 are encouraged to explore this prompt in any written language. Translations are not necessary, but welcomed!
Students and families, can submit your work using the links below:
Educators, submit work from multiple students using the link below:
At 826, he’s most excited to engage and support Associate Resource Groups (ARGs) in building a sustainable and community-driven agenda! His approach combines deep practical and strategic expertise to take a data-driven, curious and outcome-oriented approach to addressing systemic and institutional barriers to DEI.
Learn more about Jason below!
1. What brings you to 826 National?
I’m here to support 826 National in building a sustainable and impact-driven DEI framework that will support and empower the ARGs and optimize systems and processes that inform how the organization serves students and young people across the 826 network.
2. What is it about the 826 mission that resonates with you?
I believe 826’s mission and work enables young people to channel and express their creativity and imagine a world beyond the barriers they may encounter in their daily lives. Unlocking this world of possibility is the first step in empowering young people to reach their full potential as individuals, leaders, and stewards of our future.
3. What are you looking forward to building with the 826 National Team and 826 Network in the months ahead?
I look forward to partnering stakeholders across 826 National to:
1. Engage and support the ARGs in building a sustainable and community-driven agenda
2. Leverage data to help 826 National understand how to better reach and serve students across the network
3. Ensure internal systems and processes are designed for the most equitable and objective outcomes possible
4. What was your favorite childhood book/author?
I was a huge fan of statistics and historical facts, so I spent more time reading almanacs and the encyclopedia than anything else!
5. Outside of my role, you should ask me about . . .
Watches
]]>For the first time since 2018, 826 National and 25 826-inspired organizations gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland at this year’s Writing Our World (WOW) conference in Edinburgh, Scotland to connect, share learnings, and strengthen our practices to better serve students everywhere.
“After so long apart (thanks Covid!), the conference is a good time for us to come together as a network, learn from one another and offer each other advice and support where and when we can,” shared Gerald Richards, CEO of Super Power Agency and WOW Conference host.
Throughout the conference, participants found new inspirations from one other and from stories about their students:
We’re honored to be a part of this global community in protecting, uplifting, and amplifying student voices all over the world as outlined in 2018’s “A Collective Belief Statement from the International Youth Writing Community”:
This global movement continues to grow and, together, we are committed to amplifying the words of young people and ensuring their access to programs offering space to explore the power, joy, and creative possibility of writing.
Thank you to Super Power Agency for hosting and helping plan the conference and to the Hawthornden Foundation for sponsoring the WOW Conference. We’re amazed by all the incredible work from 826-inspired organizations and young people worldwide and look forward to continuing to work alongside them!
]]>“One of my memorable moments was was meeting Elis in the Boston Teacher’s Union Writers’ Room, and the revelation of how Elis welcomes students to the space with a heartfelt, caring feelings check and time for all the students to be heard,” shared Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP’s Education Director. “It was a good reminder of how and why we’re in this work.”
Below meet Denise Ervin (Program Manager, 826 michigan), Michelle Espinoza (Program Coordinator, 826 Valencia), Cristeta Boarini (Program Director, 826 MSP), Monique Lomax (Director of Human Resources and Operations, 826 Boston), Asiyah Herrara (Teaching Artist, 826 Boston), and Celia Wickham (Director of Development and Communications, 826CHI) to learn more about their experience below!
What did you hope to learn during your visit, and what did you end up learning?
I wanted to observe and participate in programming with older students at 826 MSP to better prepare and expand on future programming at 826michigan. In particular, I wanted to see 826 MSP’s Writer’s Room (housed in South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota), the YABP (Young Author Book Program) session, and Young Authors’ Council (composed of 7-12 grade students).
I participated in each of these spaces and provided support during a 2nd-grade field trip centered on poetry, which is one of the great loves of my life. In short, I hoped to learn about how these spaces were built and function day-to-day, but I actually found much more! [clearfix]
What were you surprised to learn or find out about on your visit?
My biggest surprise was the demographic makeup of the population served by 826 MSP, which included a large East African and Indigenous population. Interacting with these students were my most memorable moments and gave me a new idea of what it means to meet students where they are.
Most memorable moment(s) on your trip?
On my first day, I had the opportunity to talk to Khayaal, a student who has served on the Writers’ Room Advisory Council throughout their entire high school career. I gained insight into the way the room serves students and how events are planned to maintain and increase engagement throughout the year.
During one of the YABP sessions, I supported 826 MSP’s Program Director, Cristeta Boarini, and Ms. Shelby with “Revision Bingo” and had the opportunity to proofread a student story by Chlo, where she used a dream sequence to build suspense for her characters. I shared space with the Young Authors’ Council, where a group of gifted young writers openly shared losses and triumphs from their life maps.
In each scenario, I was taught the power of a safe space to nurture vulnerability and creativity. [clearfix]
How will this visit impact your work at your home chapter? What learnings will you share with your team and integrate into your work?
As I return to my work, I look forward to sharing the artifacts I collected (such as the poetry worksheets and tutoring prompts) along with the wisdom gleaned from those who have traveled the road I am just beginning to walk. I come back with ideas for integrating youth autonomy and decision-making, renewed passion for completing the YABP, and an increased desire to impact the lives of all the young people 826michigan affords me the opportunity to teach.
What did you hope to learn during your visit, and what did you end up learning?
I chose to visit 826 New Orleans because their after-school program supports students who are in a similar grade level as ours. As the new lead of the after school program at Mission Bay, I wanted to learn more about programs, outside of the Valencia chapter, and how they’re supporting students in their learning, share program resources, and find ways to implement them into next school year’s programs. [clearfix]
What were you surprised to learn or find out about on your visit?
Coming from a big chapter with a lot of staff, it was surprising to see the size of the New Orleans team compared to ours. I loved seeing how involved their volunteers are in the program and stepping up during the session while the program manager was checking in with another student.
Most memorable moment(s) on your trip?
I really appreciated having had this opportunity to be able to see the impact the New Orleans team has had working with their students and the wonderful relationships they’ve created with their students, families, and partners in the community. We don’t always get the opportunity to collaborate across other chapters, let alone in person, so I would encourage others to go out and explore/learn about how other 826 chapters are supporting their students. [clearfix]
What did you hope to learn during your visit, and what did you end up learning?
826 MSP is at an exciting time with our growth, and with that in mind, I knew I wanted to visit 826 Boston, whose Writers’ Rooms model could offer us a roadmap for sustainable, community-centered growth.
I specifically wanted to learn how Boston starts up a Writers’ Room, especially long before the ribbon-cutting at a new school. For example: how strategic relationships start, what non-negotiables must be in place, what fundraising schemes have worked, etc. I definitely got all that great knowledge, but also got to see a more holistic picture of how certain programming (like field trips and YABPs) can help fuel long-term relationships that make for strong Writers’ Rooms. [clearfix]
Most memorable moment(s) on your trip?
I had two amazing memorable moments.
The first was meeting Elis in the BTU Writers’ Room, and the revelation of how Elis welcomes students to the space with a heartfelt, caring feelings check and time for all the students to be heard. It was a good reminder of how and why we’re in this work.
Second, I had a blast talking with Americorps member Lewis at the Burke Writers’ Room. Lewis was in the process of starting up a WWE bout/script-writing club. He was super knowledgeable about the content, had come up with clever lesson plans and had lots of cool, alternative ways to publish/broadcast the students’ work. I wouldn’t necessarily use the curriculum, but what impressed me was that Lewis had tapped into something that Writers’ Room students clearly loved and found a clever, engaging way to tie that love to writing. [clearfix]
What did you hope to learn during your visit, and what did you end up learning?
I wanted to visit 826 Valencia due to some similarities within our AmeriCorps program as well as meet with their program managers and my fellow counterpart, Benita, their HR manager. I wanted to learn more about how a chapter their size builds and sustains their programs and people as well as talk to those on the admin team who create the policies that shape the 826 Valencia community. [clearfix]
Most memorable moment(s) on your trip?
Some of the most memorable moments were definitely experiencing the kid magic by participating in field trips and after school tutoring. It was great to see the mission of 826 fulfilled from coast to coast–literally![clearfix]
What did you hope to learn during your visit, and what did you end up learning?
I wanted to visit 826 Valencia to learn more about their YLAB (Youth Literary Advisory Board) Program and how it was structured compared to ours at 826 Boston. Their program focused on empowering students to take on leadership roles within the organization and their community. It was fascinating to see the different approaches each chapter takes in order to serve their communities. One major takeaway from my visit that I hope to integrate into my work at 826 Boston is the importance of mentorship in programming.
At 826 Valencia, mentorship took many forms and was evident in almost every program I observed, from “reading buddies” to tutoring requirements for YLAB members. It was inspiring to see how this emphasis on mentorship has allowed students give back to their community. and form lasting bonds with younger peers. [clearfix]
Most memorable moment(s) on your trip?
One of my most memorable moments was meeting students in the writers room who eagerly made me a page-long list of must-visit restaurants in San Francisco. My visit to 826 Valencia was an enriching experience that broadened my understanding of the different approaches and programs offered by 826 chapters.[clearfix]
What did you hope to learn during your visit, and what did you end up learning?
It was also incredibly invaluable to develop new collaborative working relationships with the staff at 826LA, who I will continue to be in contact with as our Development and Communications team continues to develop its processes and strategies. It was wonderful to be able to exchange our ideas and share knowledge with each other, from HTML for Classy campaign pages, to Salesforce reports for donor tracking.
I was also able to develop working relationships that would be of benefit to the rest of my team in Chicago. For example, in speaking with the Store Manager at 826LA about their artist-in-residence program, where local artists create installations in the storefront at the Echo Park location, I will be able to continue this dialogue with our own Store Coordinator and connect the two of them around this exciting idea, as we continue to revitalize our storefront. [clearfix]
Most memorable moment(s) on your trip?
As a Development and Communications staff person, it felt really rewarding to work more directly with the programming side of things and engage with the students and volunteers. It felt very heartwarming to see the similarities between the students at 826CHI and 826LA, full of excitement and enthusiasm for 826’s programs.
From coast-to-coast, 826 chapters will be celebrating in-person at their writing centers and stores. Drop by to celebrate book releases, hear student writing, participate in writing workshops, receive store discounts, and more!
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[three-fourths]Join the GRAND REOPENING of 826DC’s Tivoli’s Astounding Magic Supply Co.’s GRAND REOPENING on Saturday, 8/26 in Washington, D.C. Visit any time between 10 am ET and 6 pm ET to browse, get special discounts and prizes, enjoy some balloons, and even make your very own custom magician sticker.[/three-fourths]
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[three-fourths]Stop by the Secret Agent Supply Co. in Chicago, Illinois to learn all about 826 programming! They’ll also be hosting drop-in writing activities all day and offering an 826 Day store discount.[/three-fourths]
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[three-fourths]Join 826michigan for student readings, a book release party, food, fun, and more! The party will be at Prospect Park in Ypsilanti, Michigan from 12:30 pm to 2 pm CT. ALL ARE WELCOME!
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[three-fourths]Win a chance for Minnesota Twins tickets with 826 MSP! 826 MSP will be giving away Twins, and be at the Twins game on 8/27. Catch them on the jumbotron between innings!
At their writing center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a special guest author will be doing a reading and hosting a mini-writing lesson. Stop by for food, arts and crafts, fun, and more! [/three-fourths]
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[three-fourths]X marks the spot at 826 Valencia’s Pirate Store in San Francisco, California! Go hunting for treasure during their “Pay-by-the-Pound” event and leave with a bag of goodies where you’re only charged by your bag’s weight. Starting Friday, August 25, this event will run all weekend long![/three-fourths]
However you decide to join in on the celebration, we’re so excited to have you as part of our community and grateful to have your support!
]]>This year’s 826 Learning Series included three half-days—in January and June—of collective joy and shared ideas, including virtual tours through all nine 826 chapters and workshops focusing on youth leadership engagement, community building, and organizational management. Authors and poets, Dr. Eve L. Ewing and Mahogany L. Browne, and Program Consultant with Freedom to Read at PEN America Tasslyn Magnussen, joined us in conversations to close each day’s events.
Conversations during the three days focused on diverse representation in books—the critical need for it in and the lack, and even the dismantlement of it, in our current education system.
“[Young people] deserve to have the stories… [their] story is important, and we want to hear it,” said Tasslyn Magnussen, PEN America. In her closing keynote, Tasslyn shared PEN America’s sobering research on book bannings. From January 2023 to June 2023, 1,477 instances of individual books were banned, affecting 874 unique titles. Book bans mostly affect children’s literature that include race/racism, grief and death, LGBTQAI+ characters/themes, and more.
When children’s literature is attacked, it impacts what young people learn about their world. “The ability to write your story, the ability to find your story, the ability to be comfortable to share your story is critical to the freedom to write and the freedom to read,” stressed Tasslyn on how banned books affects students’ writing.
In her talk, poet, activist, and challenged book author, Mahogany L. Browne (Black Girl Magic, Chlorine Sky) stressed the importance of keeping stories in spaces. “We cannot wait for them to tell us what we can and cannot read. If we don’t interrogate it, we’re going to do way more damage to our young people.”
When reflecting on her former self, she discussed how she yearned to have a space to see herself and to be able to write in her own authentic voice. “I wish I had the space to be my full self and explain why my language choices were the way they were. Why I’m using slang because that’s how it sounds at my front steps.”
“The largest fracture between the educators and the students is where educators feel they can’t learn from students,” Mahogany shared. “Just [give] them space to expand. Expand their ideas. Their voices. Who they want to be.”
Sociologist and author. Dr. Eve L. Ewing echoed similar sentiments in her conversation with 826CHI’s Executive Director, Jennifer Steele. When reflecting on classroom text from Black woman writers, “So I had this idea that to be a Black woman writer is to write about your suffering. And I, like so many others, was touched by that writing, moved by that writing, absolutely saw my own life in it, felt validated, affirmed, and seen… But I also wanted to write about like magic and the future and seeing Black girlhood and Black womanhood from that lens of possibility… I remain very moved by how much people have responded to that work. And I think that part of it was because so many of us have so many parts of us that we want to share.”
“In my writing, representation matters, but representation is the bare minimum: like water matters, or air matters,” Eve stressed. I want to show the multiplicity, multitudes, the many selves we carry. I hope to show many types of black girls doing many different things.”
“You know, my humble aspiration is that [young people] will see not only the permission to write themselves into a story, but to write many different corners of [their] heart into a story,” shared Eve.
Including our keynote guest speakers, we had amazing workshops throughout the day led by educators, artists, and 826 staff members.
Highlights from this year’s 826 Learning Series, included:
We’re excited to have this opportunity to connect across chapters, to learn together as a Network, and grow in our practice and work for the incoming school year.
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