Albion’s Big Read is a month-long community reading initiative that aims to engage children, teens, and adults through shared reading experiences. We have two primary goals: value and empower youth and provide opportunities for diverse groups to come together and interact in meaningful ways.

OUR 2022 TITLE: FAKE I.D. BY LAMAR GILES

Lamar Giles. Fake I.D. is a murder mystery about a Black high school student in Virginia named Nick Pearson. Nick is the new kid at a new school, which is complicated enough. But things are even more complicated because his family is in the Witness Protection Program.  Soon after he starts working for the school newspaper, his friend Eli Cruz is murdered, and Nick sets about figuring out who did it. He encounters shady politicians, dodges (and then confronts) meatheads, negotiates tricky family business, and uncovers things that some folks would like to keep hidden. 

Fake I.D. will make us laugh and make us curious and make us want to talk about family, friendship, school, criminalization, identity, loyalty, secrets, violence, race,  mysteries, and the challenges of doing right by our people.

Meet Albion's 2022 Team

BIG READ LEADERS

Albion’s Big Read Leaders are rising 8th, 9th, and 10th graders who call Albion their home. They spend their summer reading our Big Read book – this year, Lamar Giles’s Fake I.D. Then they take their love of that book out into the community by leading community-wide discussions of it. They are the beating heart of Albion’s Big Read, and everything good and beautiful about this program comes from them. We are thankful for and celebrate our 2022 Big Read Leaders:

Ashtyn Ridley-Melton *

Dacarius Melton *

Lay Lay Robinson*

Stephanie Sobaski*

Timothy Pledger *

Sophia Williams

Nasir Williams *

AMBASSADORS

The Big Read Ambassadors are veterans of Albion’s Big Read Youth Leadership Program. You can identify Big Read Ambassadors by the bright red or blue shirt featuring logos from past Big Reads on the front and the conversation starter—“Ask me about Albion’s Big Read!”—on the back. So if you see young folks wearing a Big Read Ambassadors shirt, just follow the instructions and ask them about Albion’s Big Read. You’ll be glad you did! Albion’s Big Read Ambassadors:

Tyland Martin
Marshall Nicholson
Cassie Porter
Akaiia Ridley
Aaliyah Roberts
Malena Solis
Fred Steward
Ja’Kobe Steward
Ta’Jyanna Steward
Belevia Stovall
Shi’Terriona Straham
Terek Straham
Lauren VanVleet
A’Veion Washington
Danielle Washington
Da’Sani White
Leia Williams
Niya Williams

COLLEGE VOLUNTEERS

Albion’s Big Read Youth Leadership Program would not be possible without our College Volunteers (CVs). Our CVs are Albion College students and recent alums who create the environment where all our leaders are valued and seen. They listen and laugh. They play and remember. They show up and give out of their minds, bodies, and spirits. We are deeply thankful for the work they do.

Kelvin Crone-Willis

Skye Dickson

Kali Johnson

Ian Lee#%

Classidy Scales*

Malena Solis#%

* denotes students who returned as a College Volunteer for another year.

# denotes a College Volunteer who is also a Big Read Ambassador.
% denotes an A.L.B.I.O.N. Fellow

Albion’s Big Read: The Planning Committee, Donors, and Partners

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Made up of college and community leaders, our planning committee works throughout the year. Most notably, these individuals choose the Big Read novel, collaborate with local partners, and further the progress of Albion's current and future Big Reads. We would like to thank the members of the 2022 Planning Committee for their irreplaceable support:

Lynette Gumbleton

Akaiia Ridley, Assistant Director

Jess Roberts, Director

Mary Slater

Cindy Stanczak

Ellen Wilch

Keena Williams

Rhiki Swinton

Emmylou Christensen

DONORS

We would like to wholeheartedly thank our generous supporters. Albion's 2022 Big Read was made possible by the support of the following amazing organizations and individuals. Click the green text of the donors below to learn more.
* denotes donors who have supported more than one Big Read

Barb Weiskittel*

The Merck Company Foundation*

Albion Walk the Beat*

Albion College*

Albion College English Department*

Run Albion

Jason Moritz

Binda Foundation*

Welcome Home Organization/ So What Foundation

Lewis Chapel AME Church*

PAST DONORS

Albion’s Big Read is forever grateful for the incredible generosity of these marvelous organizations and individuals, which makes doing the good work possible.
*denotes donors who have supported more than one Big Read

Catherine Fontana
Albion Rotary Club
The Linda Kochinski Fund*
Team 1 Plastics*
Parks Drug Store
Caster Concepts
Albion College History Department*
Marshall Community Foundation*
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Lubaway Masten and Co.
Gerald and Eddie Williams
John and Kathryn Fitzsimmons
Conrad and Peggy Sindt
John and Susan Cease
Ed and Ginnie Edwardson
American Association of University Women, Albion branch
Joyce Ferguson*
NAACP, Albion Brach
Vivian Davis
Albion College Office of the Provost*
The Franke Center
Dr. James L. Curtis
John and Mardie Roberts*

PARTNERS

Our partners are local individuals, organizations, and businesses who donate time and energy to Albion’s Big Read. They support our program from behind the scenes by hosting book discussions, sharing space and resources, and much more. We joyfully thank them!

• Albion District Library

• The Bohm Theater

• City of Albion

• Psi Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

• Albion College School for Public Purpose and Professional Development