In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Keisha Ehigie, the visionary behind Imagine Me Stories, an award-winning monthly subscription box dedicated to bringing high-quality Black children's literature and empowering Black history activities to young readers. Keisha launched Imagine Me Stories in 2019 during her maternity leave, inspired by her desire to create a world where every child can see themselves in the stories they read. Her dream is clear and compelling: that all children have access to diverse stories that reflect their realities and open windows into other experiences.

The Power of Representation in Literature
Keisha shares how reading The Concubine by Elechi Amadi was a transformative experience that allowed her to see her reality reflected in a book. She talks about the joy and empowerment that comes from finding relatable characters and narratives, and how this inspired her to ensure more children can experience this joy.

Barriers in the Publishing Industry
We dive into the challenges Black writers face in today’s publishing landscape and explore why diverse voices and stories are still often underrepresented. Keisha provides insights into the systemic barriers in publishing and how initiatives like Imagine Me Stories are helping to bridge that gap by providing platforms for Black authors and stories.

The Importance of Diverse Books for All Children in schools
Keisha’s mission goes beyond serving Black children alone; she is working with schools to emphasizes the importance of all children having access to a range of experiences and perspectives.

Research with Manchester University: Representation and Self-Esteem in Children
We dive into the research partnership between Imagine Me Stories and Manchester University, exploring the critical link between representation in books and children’s self-esteem.

https://imaginemestories.com/

Insta: @imaginemestories

Twitter: @imaginemebox
Love and hugs
Alice and Margaret