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.
| Task Force Chair | Dr. Carole McCollough E-mail: c.mccollough@worldnet.att.net |
| Membership Chair | Carol Edwards Rincon Valley Library 6959 Montecito Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA 95409 Voice: 707 537-0162 Fax: 707 537-0174 E-mail: carole@sonoma.lib.ca.us |
| OLOS Liaison (Office of Literacy and Outreach Services) |
Satia Orange |
| Past Chair | Barbara Jones Clark Coordinator, Media and Enrichment Services District Media Center Birmingham Public Schools 1525 Covington Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 Voice: (248) 203-4606 Fax: (248) 203-4605 E-mail: bc01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us |
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.