Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford introduced Bill HB3254 which will mandate that schools throughout the state of Illinois will include diverse authors of all backgrounds (i.e. the Black community, women, Native Americans, LatinX, etc.) into the curriculum for K-12. The Bill will be called The Pierce Twins Law.

We are looking forward to these Bills passing next session because it will start the process of chipping away at systemic racism in our country, starting with children’s education.  As we continue the work to end miseducation and systemic racism in our schools, requiring diverse reading materials that provide a sense of self value and worth to our children of all backgrounds are imperative. Building healthy race relations among all children is urgent. The Pierce Twins legislation assures Illinois schools must mandate diverse reading materials while removing derogatory reading assignments towards children of color and/or reading materials that use language that feeds into racism and hate. We believe this legislation will assist in helping with race relations among K-12 and build healthy self esteem in all  children.