As part of Oakland University’s Center for Multicultural Initiatives‘ African American Celebration Month, the Book Club at OU is hosting a book drive, and is accepting donations Jan. 16 through Feb. 15.

The book drive raises awareness for reading and education, and benefits the local community. The donated books will be given to the PEACE Academy in Pontiac, Michigan.  

The CMI’s chosen theme for this year is “Transformative Education: Gateway for the future.”

Amy Joa, a retention coordinator of CMI, explained the planning put into the book drive.

“The president of the Book Club at OU and other members of the committee have been working directly with each other and PEACE Academy to coordinate the details,” Joa said.

Joa holds an important role in the CMI.

“I serve as an adviser to CMI student scholars,” she said. “Additionally, I help coordinate and facilitate diversity programming and training, as well as serve on committees for Student Leader Recruitment, African American Celebration Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.”

Planning for AACM began halfway through the 2016 fall semester. The CMI reaching out to the PEACE Academy has given the school additions of new books in their libraries and classrooms.

Joa said AACM will help tie the OU community together more.

“It [AACM] reflects OU’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the historical and cultural contributions that African Americans have made in the past, present and future,” she said. “AACM allows our campus community to share, grow and celebrate African Americans together.”

Myshia Liles-Moultrie, a senior social work major and president of the book club, said book drive planning began in October. This is Liles-Moultrie’s first year on the AACM Committee.

She explained the power of education and that no one can take it away.

“Books help feed that imagination and creativity in all children,” Liles-Moultrie said. “It also allows children to get [a]head of someone that is not like them. They can learn many life lessons and skills from reading books.”

Liles-Moultrie is also a former Keeper of the Dream Award recipient, which demonstrates her responsibility for promoting diversity.

“It is extremely important that everyone takes the time to learn about a culture different from their own and try to see life through the other person’s eyes,” Liles-Moultrie said. “It makes for a more accepting and inclusive community.”

The drive has collected about 60 books so far. Students can contribute by dropping off books at 104 North Foundation Hall and the Oakland Center, near the Office of the Dean of Students and the OU Credit Union. The drive is not accepting activity books.