HomeTask Force

The main purpose of the CSK Task Force is to annually grant the Coretta Scott King Award to African American authors and illustrators for outstanding contributions to literature for children and young adults. The Coretta Scott King Award is given to encourage the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts including: biographical, social, historical, and social history treatments. The CSK Task Force also grants the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe Award to an African American author and/or an African American illustrator at the beginning of his/her career as a published book creator. In addition, the Task Force seeks to promote, recognize and celebrate the continued publication of quality literature by African American children's authors and illustrators.

The primary functions of the Task Force are supported by three standing committees:

• CSK Award Jury
• Annual Breakfast Committee
• Review Books Grant Committee

CSK Award Jury

There are seven members of the Award Jury including the chair. The jury is selected from the Coretta Scott King Task Force membership. Jurors are selected based on ability and willingness to accept responsibilities of an award juror as outlined in the Task Force Constitution and Bylaws. We look for professionals who select quality materials for youth readers as a function of their job; persons with day-to-day experience working with readers; and persons with research and higher education teaching expertise in the area of children's literature.

• Chrystal Carr Jeter, Chair
  Cleveland Public Library
• Deborah Burns
  Chicago Public Library
• Patty Carleton
  St. Louis Public Library
• Loretta Dowell
  Oakland Public Library
• Darwin, Henderson
  University of Cincinnati
• Veronica Stevenson-Moudamane
  Danbury Public Library
• Idella A. Washington
  Benjamin Franklin High School

Review Books Grant Committee

This committee reviews applications to receive books submitted for the award after the winning titles have been selected. The Book Grant distributes those titles provided by the publishers to the OLOS office that are not used for publicity and promotion of the award.

Annual Breakfast Committee

This committee consists of a Task Force Breakfast Chair; a Local Arrangements Chair; and 12–15 volunteers.

 Web Site

In addition, the CSK Award web site is supported by the efforts of Eric Brasley. The List of Award Winners is prepared with the assistance of Walter Minkel.