The special Juneteenth LPSH on Saturday, June 21st will feature Breanna Allen reading "The ABCs of Black History" by Rio Cortez! This event will take place at 1pm at Ruthmere
This is an ALL-AGES story hour, meaning all are welcome to come experience this story!
This is open and free to the general public but registration requested. REGISTER HERE:
https://ruthmere.org/event-6140128
The LPSH is not a fundraiser, it’s a consciousness raiser! Ruthmere invites a member of the community to read an age-appropriate children’s book to children and their families. But this is a story hour with a specific purpose. These stories are reflections of each reader’s distinct background, and communicate the values of diversity, unity and liberty.
Every child receives a Lincoln Penny souvenir in a keepsake jacket as a reminder of why this experience is important.
This LPSH Event Sponsor is Centier Bank.
ABOUT BREANNA:
Breanna Allen was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana by a single mother, who was strong and determined to build a quality life for her two daughters. Breanna earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminology & Criminal Justice and African & African American studies from Indiana State University, in Terre Haute. Allen continued on to earn a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University. In 2022, Allen earned an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from Northcentral University.
Breanna’s professional career brought her up to Michiana to work as a Student Affairs Specialist at Harrison College. Gaining experience supporting at-risk college students, fostering an environment to increase student engagement, and assisting with Career Development prepared Allen to transition to Ivy Tech Community College Elkhart County Campus, as the Director of Career Development for three years. Prior to entering her new role at Tolson Center for Community Excellence, Allen worked for a non-profit organization, Horizon Education Alliance also known as HEA, located in Goshen, IN. As the Executive Director of the Tolson Center, Allen’s role is to lead the organization alongside the Board of Directors to carry out the mission to empower lives through inclusive learning, recreation, and cultural exchange.
Breanna is also the secretary of the Inclusive Procurement Board with the City of South Bend, board member of Elkhart Rotary Club, board member of CDFI Friendly South Bend, member of board of trustees for Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart Campus, a graduate of the MDLI Leadership Academy, through 100 Black men of South Bend and the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy in 2014, and a 40 under 40 recipient. Servant leadership drives every move Allen makes, knowing that giving to the community only makes it stronger. She has a personal investment in serving minority and women entrepreneurs and the youth, as they are our future.
ABOUT "THE ABCs OF BLACK HISTORY":
A beautiful alphabet picture book that presents key names, moments, and places in Black history with text lyrically written by poet Rio Cortez.
It’s a story of big ideas – P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul. Of significant moments – G is for Great Migration. Of iconic figures – H is for Zora Neale Hurston, X is for Malcom X. It’s an ABC book like no other, and a story of hope and love.
In addition to rhyming text, the book includes back matter with information on the events, places, and people mentioned in the poem, from Mae Jemison to W. E. B. Du Bois, Fannie Lou Hamer to Sam Cooke, and the Little Rock Nine to DJ Kool Herc.
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![Lincoln Penny Story Hour - "The ABCs of Black History" with Breanna Allen, 21 June | Event in Elkhart](https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/a59739e3ff137d76891ebb410684023daf581ca29ea313dbc48562f34b1dbb70-rimg-w1200-h628-dcfefefe-gmir?v=1748335217 "Lincoln Penny Story Hour - "The ABCs of Black History" with Breanna Allen, 302 E Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514-2719, United States, 21 June 2025 | AllEvents | AllEvents")
