Family Focus

Charlotte mom writes children's book aimed to curb the negative view of black youth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte mother noticed a lack of diversity in Children’s books. So, she took matters into her own hands and wrote a book celebrating black boys – like her son.

Charlitta Hatch is the mother of an energetic toddler, but she worries about how the world may view her son and that it is not in the way that she sees him.

“Given everything that’s going on in society, even in Charlotte, as we think about our black boys and how they’re portrayed in the media, I knew that I wanted something different for my sons and other sons,” Hatch said.

She turned to children’s books to portray this message to her sons, but was disheartened by the lack of diversity.

The Cooperative Children’s Books Center found in 2017 only nine percent of children’s books were about African Americans.

“So many of our black stories that I have seen in the market feature our boys as sports, thugs, or entertainers or black history, but not the every day story of a mother’s love,” Hatch said.

Hatch decided to launch her own positive story three months later. It is called “Black Boy Joy.” It is a love letter from a mother to her son.

After its release in May, more than 150 people filled the University Child Development Center to get their own copies. Hatch said she is confident people of all backgrounds will relate to it.

Hatch added she hopes her story will influence the way people see little black boys and how they see themselves.

“I want him to know no matter what happens his mom tried to make a difference,” Hatch said.

“Black Boy Joy” is part of the “Me-3” Project, which is aimed at impacting the way America views black youth.

To learn more about their work, click here.