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501(c)(3)
82-4603524

Our Mission

To equip schools and youth centers with books that foster inclusion and belonging and promote antiracism.
We believe that books hold the potential of becoming powerful teaching tools. As an educational resource, a great book – like a great teacher, can have a profound impact in the classroom. But students need books that have heroes and heroines that look like them! We hope to make books available that reflect the diversity of our nation, our communities and our schools. We believe students need access to books that feature people of color, teach antiracism and foster belonging and inclusion.

Our Founders

Equip Books was founded during the summer of 2020 by three high school students -Kali Boone, Mia Mitaine and Hailey Bancroft. It started with a simple request by a local teacher to help fund a few titles in a middle school classroom. We are now delivering books to dozens of schools in the Bay Area and look to expand to additional communities in 2021 and 2022!
“There is nothing better than identifying with a character in a book to help you feel like you are not alone — that someone else is feeling what you are feeling. I want all students to have this feeling and make books available that foster a sense of inclusion and belonging. I hope these books will teach children to accept and celebrate our differences.”
Kali Boone, Founder

“Representation is like seeing your name in a math problem, it makes you feel special. By having a wide variety of stories available to uplift and that represent a plethora of cultures and identities, I hope we can make all students feel special and supported.”

Mia Mitaine, Founder

Founders, Hailey Bancroft, Kali Boone and Mia Mitaine picking up books from Blanche Richardson at Marcus Books in Oakland. Marcus Books is the oldest Black-owned bookstore in the country!

Founders, Kali Boone, Mia Mitaine and Hailey Bancroft deliver books to Vallecito Elementary School in San Rafael, California.

Recommended Books

The following lists were developed based on input and feedback from local librarians, reviews and suggestions from socialjusticebooks.org, online ‘teachers picks’ — and many titles were even suggested by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be Antiracist and in collaboration with Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research. We are open to suggestions and additional recommendations!
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Our Partners

We source and purchase our books from local, independent, Black-owned bookstores. Meet our Bay Area partners:

Ashay By the Bay | Vallejo | www.Ashaybythebay.com

Marcus Books | Oakland | www.Marcusbooks.com 

IN THE COMMUNITY

Kali Boone and Mia Mitaine spoke to faculty, students and families at Wade Thomas Elementary School.

For Teachers

We can assist with providing class sets to you so that each student can have access to certain titles and you can incorporate the books into your lesson planning.

FOR LIBRARIANS

Are there book titles that you would like to add to your school library? We would love to help build your collection of books that promote belonging and inclusion.

Please reach out to us at WishList@equipbooks.org with your requests!

Get Involved

Would you like to help us with our mission?  We need volunteers for book fairs, to deliver books to schools and with fundraising efforts. Please reach out to Mia@equipbooks.org with your interest.

AFFILIATES / CHAPTERS

We are building out our affiliate program to add Equip Book chapters in even more cities and communities. Please contact us if you or someone you know would like to replicate this effort in your local community!

Make a Donation

Please support us by making a tax deductible donation! Click on the link below and you will be directed to our secure payment portal and can pay via credit card or PayPal. You can also send checks made out to Equip Books to 2103 Vineyard Road, Novato CA 94947. Your donations will help us reach even more schools and students!
Make a Donation