Juneteenth Neighbor's Day with DMPL

Join the Des Moines Public Library at Juneteenth's Neighbor's Day for children's activities!
Meet local authors, write and illustrate your own mini-book, enjoy a storywalk, and build with STEM materials!

12:00-1:00 Meet author, Abena Sankofa Imhotep and artist/illustrator, Meanz Chan

Abena Sankofa Imhotep wakes up early in the morning to look at the trees outside her window - the trees give her inspiration, and that is how she is able to create whole worlds with words! Her work across multiple disciplines addresses international narratives about Black life, but Abena's favorite writing is of stories that encourage children to use their minds, their hearts, and their imaginations. She has launched several organizations dedicated to literacy, education, and making our world a better place for everyone. Omari's Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe is Abena's first book. She lives in central Iowa (but not on a farm!) with her family.

Meanz (“Mints”) Ming Chan 陳明敏 is an Interdisciplinary artist based in Des Moines, Iowa of the Chinese diaspora. Their work spans from tattooing to digital illustration, photography, graphic design and whatever else she can get her hands on. They explore themes of isolation, nostalgia, miscommunication, fear, mental illness and personal identity in their work. She utilizes her art-making to process trauma, document growth and to heal.

She spends most of her days with her partner (JB), dog (Bruce), 5 cats (Archie, Arnold, Jeff, Min and Marvin), and bearded dragon (Zeke), watching films/anime, taking care of plants, drawing, making music playlists, and eating delicious food.

1:00-2:00 Meet author, Glo Rose

I am author Glo Rose. It is because of our ever-changing world, I want to help children voice their emotions and deal with them in healthy ways. In my passion to help our children, I have written stories and journals that focused on emotional growth. I hope I will see you on Juneteenth where you can learn more.

2:00-3:00 Meet DMPL librarian and author, Becky Preston

Becky Preston loves to read with children and is also an amateur slime scientist.  She is a long-time friend of Rosie Reader and drives her around the neighborhood to visit children and talk about books.  *special appearance by Rosie Reader during this hour of activities!

3:00-4:00 Meet author, Tiffany Marie

Tiffany Marie is a lifelong learner. She is the mother of one spunky seven-year-old going on 27 year old, named Hannah. Tiffany Marie has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University Iowa and a masters in human services with a specialization and executive leader ship from Liberty University. Tiffany works in the schools and desires, especially for mothers to dream or dream again to step out on faith and live their dreams. Also, for children to use their creativity divinely given personality to “Be You Tiful”.