The Archie & Phebe Mae Givens Foundation

Black Market Reads-The Givens Foundation's programs are committed to being an innovative solution that supports the mission and goals of providing high quality arts programming in support of Minnesota's cultural goals and objective for its citizens and to showcase Minnesota Black literary talent regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Foundation uses African American Literature as a vehicle to accomplish these goals. Our Black Market Reads podcast program features local, regional, and nationally acclaimed Black authors in authors in discussion about the importance of Black literature in their careers. The program showcases the diversity of Black American literature in MN and throughout the U.S. The podcast allows the public to also experience and interact with these authors through our diverse group of partners. Our Culture Matters Writing Workshop initiative designed to offer culturally responsive, community-based writing workshops, using African American Literary Teaching Artists, and literature by African American authors launched its program for residents at the Hennepin County Home School for youthful offenders.

The foundation continues to have many Community Partnerships that align with its mission and vision. 1). Our partnership with Rain Taxi, a Minneapolis based non-profit literary organization involves participating in their Annual Twin Cities Book Festival that draws over 10,000 visitors throughout the Midwest and various other online forums featuring interviews with Black American Authors. The Festival and other programming were produced online. 2). Our partnership with Minneapolis based bookseller Maegers & Quinn has involved several events partnering with other community organizations highlighting the work of Minnesota or visiting Black American authors to the Twin Cities. 3). The Foundation has partnered with other local and non-local non-profit organizations featuring Black American authors in their programming (Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church; The Great Northern Festival; The Third Rail; Art for Art; Minneapolis South High School; Art to Change the World; Teach For America and Educators for Excellence.)