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Local Love Live

93.1 Jamz

Blizz Gee   [Local Love Live]

A book under the tree can become a favorite bedtime story, a connection to a child’s culture, or the beginning of a lifelong love of reading. This holiday season, Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive runs November 10 through December 10, 2026, giving our community an opportunity to put that experience into more children’s hands.

Rowan from Madison Reading Project joined DJ Fusion on 93.1 JAMZ’s Fusion in the Afternoons to talk about the annual drive, the importance of family literacy, and how people across Madison can help.

Bringing Books to Families During the Holidays

The Community Book Drive helps Madison Reading Project provide books for holiday gifts and winter break reading. During a concentrated stretch of holiday giving, Rowan says the organization expects to distribute approximately 15,000 books in about two weeks, potentially more.

That effort gives families access to a selection of books so they can choose something that matches their children’s interests. Having that choice helps make each gift personal, whether a child loves a particular cartoon, wants to explore something new, or connects with a character who looks like them.

Books remaining after the holiday season will help restock Madison Reading Project’s Book Center for 2027, supporting its work throughout the year.

Diverse Children’s Books That Inspire Excitement

Madison Reading Project works to provide books that children are excited to open. That includes diverse stories, books in languages families speak at home, current releases, and hardcover editions whenever possible.

Representation matters. Seeing familiar experiences, cultures, and families in a story can help children connect with reading. Discovering different perspectives can also introduce them to a world beyond their own.

As Rowan explained during the interview, “Literacy is a family activity.”

Reading together creates opportunities for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other caregivers to connect with children. A donated book can become part of those shared moments long after the holidays are over.

How to Support the Community Book Drive

There are several ways to support Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive:


Donate new books. Visit the organization’s website for online book selection options and information about participating bookstores.


Make a financial donation. Let the Madison Reading Project team select books to support its giving efforts.


Create a fundraising page. Invite friends, family, or coworkers to contribute together.

Book distribution will begin by the end of November. Book donations should be collected by December 10 so the team has them available for its busy schedule of giving events. Financial fundraising continues through the end of the year as book distribution carries on through December.

Help Madison Share the Gift of Reading

Supporting children’s literacy starts with making books accessible, engaging, and available at home. Whether you give a new book, make a donation, or bring others together to help, your contribution supports that mission.

Visit MadisonReadingProject.com and look for Community Book Drive to find donation options, participating bookstores, and ways to get involved.

Let’s help more children across our community unwrap a story of their own this holiday season.

A book under the tree can become a favorite bedtime story, a connection to a child&rsquo;s culture, or the beginning of a lifelong love of reading. This holiday season, Madison Reading Project&rsquo;s Community Book Drive runs November 10 through December 10, 2026, giving our community an opportunity to put that experience into more children&rsquo;s hands.
Rowan from Madison Reading Project joined DJ Fusion on 93.1 JAMZ&rsquo;s Fusion in the Afternoons to talk about the annual drive, the importance of family literacy, and how people across Madison can help.
Bringing Books to Families During the Holidays
The Community Book Drive helps Madison Reading Project provide books for holiday gifts and winter break reading. During a concentrated stretch of holiday giving, Rowan says the organization expects to distribute approximately 15,000 books in about two weeks, potentially more.
That effort gives families access to a selection of books so they can choose something that matches their children&rsquo;s interests. Having that choice helps make each gift personal, whether a child loves a particular cartoon, wants to explore something new, or connects with a character who looks like them.
Books remaining after the holiday season will help restock Madison Reading Project&rsquo;s Book Center for 2027, supporting its work throughout the year.
Diverse Children&rsquo;s Books That Inspire Excitement
Madison Reading Project works to provide books that children are excited to open. That includes diverse stories, books in languages families speak at home, current releases, and hardcover editions whenever possible.
Representation matters. Seeing familiar experiences, cultures, and families in a story can help children connect with reading. Discovering different perspectives can also introduce them to a world beyond their own.
As Rowan explained during the interview, &ldquo;Literacy is a family activity.&rdquo;
Reading together creates opportunities for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other caregivers to connect with children. A donated book can become part of those shared moments long after the holidays are over.
How to Support the Community Book Drive
There are several ways to support Madison Reading Project&rsquo;s Community Book Drive:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Donate new books. Visit the organization&rsquo;s website for online book selection options and information about participating bookstores.
</li>
<li>
Make a financial donation. Let the Madison Reading Project team select books to support its giving efforts.
</li>
<li>
Create a fundraising page. Invite friends, family, or coworkers to contribute together.
</li>
</ul>
Book distribution will begin by the end of November. Book donations should be collected by December 10 so the team has them available for its busy schedule of giving events. Financial fundraising continues through the end of the year as book distribution carries on through December.
Help Madison Share the Gift of Reading
Supporting children&rsquo;s literacy starts with making books accessible, engaging, and available at home. Whether you give a new book, make a donation, or bring others together to help, your contribution supports that mission.
Visit <a href="https://madisonreadingproject.com/">MadisonReadingProject.com</a> and look for Community Book Drive to find donation options, participating bookstores, and ways to get involved.
Let&rsquo;s help more children across our community unwrap a story of their own this holiday season.

Madison Reading Project Community Book Drive 2026: Give Books, Spread Joy

The fourth annual Black Film Festival returns to Madison, Wisconsin, November 19 through 22, 2026, bringing together Black cinema, community conversation, nostalgic favorites, and new voices. Presented by the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and Justified Anger: Courses, the festival celebrates Black joy, resilience, art, education, and culture across three Madison locations.

Siobhan Jackson joined Fusion on 93.1 JAMZ to discuss the festival, its growing community impact, and why creating space for Black storytelling matters. What began as an opportunity for volunteer engagement has grown into a community staple, with screenings that invite audiences to laugh, reflect, and discover something new.

Black Joy and Black Storytelling Take Center Stage

This year’s Madison Black Film Festival brings familiar movies together with independent films, short films, and video essays from Black creators. The lineup makes room for holiday comedy, sports drama, Black horror, and conversations about representation and the Black experience.

For Jackson, holding part of the festival at The Center for Black Excellence and Culture represents an exciting next chapter. After watching the space take shape, bringing the festival through its doors feels especially meaningful.

The festival welcomes people to participate while keeping Black voices and experiences at its center. Jackson encouraged attendees to embrace a space where Black joy can be expressed freely. Come ready to listen, learn, enjoy the films, and respect the community the festival celebrates.

Opening Night Features Alabama Brawl and Support for Nehemiah

The festival begins Thursday, November 19, with Seeing Transformation: Opening Ceremony & Fundraising Eventat The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, 671 W. Badger Road.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktail hour, followed by Alabama Brawl: A Documentary & Talkback at 6:15 p.m. Live music and bar service begin at 7:30 p.m.

In the interview, Jackson described the Montgomery boat brawl as a significant cultural moment for Black Americans, making the documentary a fitting starting point for discussion.

Opening night also launches fundraising leading toward Nehemiah’s 35th anniversary in 2027, supporting the continuation of its community work. This evening requires separate registration from the free festival screenings.

Free Film Screenings Across Madison

Friday, November 20, brings the festival to OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, 2701 International Lane, Suite 101. Screenings include Hedda at 12:30 p.m., Kokomo City at 2:30 p.m., and Black Burns Fast at 4 p.m. Jackson highlighted the importance of making space for the intersections of Black and queer experiences.

Saturday, November 21, screenings move to Madison Public Library’s Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street. The schedule includes How Fox News Melts Your Brain | Part Two at 9:30 a.m., Remember the Titans at 10:45 a.m., Sinners & the Death of Black Art at 12:45 p.m., and Roll Bounce at 2:30 p.m. Discussion sessions accompany the two video essays.

Sunday, November 22, the festival returns to The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Highlights include Black Boyhood is Hell at 11 a.m., Almost Christmas at 12:30 p.m., Black Media Breakdown: When They’re EVIL but Black at 2:30 p.m., and Makin’ Cake at 3:45 p.m.

The closing reception begins at 5 p.m., with free food courtesy of House of Flavas. A short film session starts at 6 p.m., followed by a Black filmmaker panel at 7 p.m. featuring Dasha Kelly of Makin’ Cake and Naomi Re’a of Sherman Park. This Christmas closes the evening at 8 p.m.

Discover New Black Creators

Alongside the familiar titles, Jackson is especially excited about The Village, a comedy series she described as bringing a Parks and Recreation style of humor to Chicago’s South Side.

The festival also spotlights Sherman Park, a Black horror short film discussed during the interview as working toward becoming a feature. These selections give audiences an opportunity to discover emerging work and hear from the people helping bring those stories to the screen.

Check the organizers’ latest information for individual short film and pilot screening details.

Register for the Madison Black Film Festival

The November 20 through 22 film screenings are free, with registration available for individual screenings. The November 19 opening ceremony and fundraiser requires separate registration.

Visit nehemiah.org for festival information and registration links, or explore Justified Anger: Courses to learn more about the educational work that helped inspire the festival.

Whether you come for Roll Bounce, a holiday favorite, or a filmmaker you are discovering for the first time, the Black Film Festival offers Madison a chance to experience Black storytelling together.

The fourth annual Black Film Festival returns to Madison, Wisconsin, November 19 through 22, 2026, bringing together Black cinema, community conversation, nostalgic favorites, and new voices. Presented by the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and Justified Anger: Courses, the festival celebrates Black joy, resilience, art, education, and culture across three Madison locations.
Siobhan Jackson joined Fusion on 93.1 JAMZ to discuss the festival, its growing community impact, and why creating space for Black storytelling matters. What began as an opportunity for volunteer engagement has grown into a community staple, with screenings that invite audiences to laugh, reflect, and discover something new.
Black Joy and Black Storytelling Take Center Stage
This year&rsquo;s Madison Black Film Festival brings familiar movies together with independent films, short films, and video essays from Black creators. The lineup makes room for holiday comedy, sports drama, Black horror, and conversations about representation and the Black experience.
For Jackson, holding part of the festival at The Center for Black Excellence and Culture represents an exciting next chapter. After watching the space take shape, bringing the festival through its doors feels especially meaningful.
The festival welcomes people to participate while keeping Black voices and experiences at its center. Jackson encouraged attendees to embrace a space where Black joy can be expressed freely. Come ready to listen, learn, enjoy the films, and respect the community the festival celebrates.
Opening Night Features Alabama Brawl and Support for Nehemiah
The festival begins Thursday, November 19, with Seeing Transformation: Opening Ceremony &amp; Fundraising Eventat The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, 671 W. Badger Road.
Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktail hour, followed by Alabama Brawl: A Documentary &amp; Talkback at 6:15 p.m. Live music and bar service begin at 7:30 p.m.
In the interview, Jackson described the Montgomery boat brawl as a significant cultural moment for Black Americans, making the documentary a fitting starting point for discussion.
Opening night also launches fundraising leading toward Nehemiah&rsquo;s 35th anniversary in 2027, supporting the continuation of its community work. This evening requires separate registration from the free festival screenings.
Free Film Screenings Across Madison
Friday, November 20, brings the festival to OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, 2701 International Lane, Suite 101. Screenings include Hedda at 12:30 p.m., Kokomo City at 2:30 p.m., and Black Burns Fast at 4 p.m. Jackson highlighted the importance of making space for the intersections of Black and queer experiences.
Saturday, November 21, screenings move to Madison Public Library&rsquo;s Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street. The schedule includes How Fox News Melts Your Brain | Part Two at 9:30 a.m., Remember the Titans at 10:45 a.m., Sinners &amp; the Death of Black Art at 12:45 p.m., and Roll Bounce at 2:30 p.m. Discussion sessions accompany the two video essays.
Sunday, November 22, the festival returns to The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Highlights include Black Boyhood is Hell at 11 a.m., Almost Christmas at 12:30 p.m., Black Media Breakdown: When They&rsquo;re EVIL but Black at 2:30 p.m., and Makin&rsquo; Cake at 3:45 p.m.
The closing reception begins at 5 p.m., with free food courtesy of House of Flavas. A short film session starts at 6 p.m., followed by a Black filmmaker panel at 7 p.m. featuring Dasha Kelly of Makin&rsquo; Cake and Naomi Re&rsquo;a of Sherman Park. This Christmas closes the evening at 8 p.m.
Discover New Black Creators
Alongside the familiar titles, Jackson is especially excited about The Village, a comedy series she described as bringing a Parks and Recreation style of humor to Chicago&rsquo;s South Side.
The festival also spotlights Sherman Park, a Black horror short film discussed during the interview as working toward becoming a feature. These selections give audiences an opportunity to discover emerging work and hear from the people helping bring those stories to the screen.
Check the organizers&rsquo; latest information for individual short film and pilot screening details.
Register for the Madison Black Film Festival
The November 20 through 22 film screenings are free, with registration available for individual screenings. The November 19 opening ceremony and fundraiser requires separate registration.
Visit <a href="https://nehemiah.org/">nehemiah.org</a> for festival information and registration links, or explore <a href="https://courses.justifiedanger.com/">Justified Anger: Courses</a> to learn more about the educational work that helped inspire the festival.
Whether you come for Roll Bounce, a holiday favorite, or a filmmaker you are discovering for the first time, the Black Film Festival offers Madison a chance to experience Black storytelling together.

Blizz Gee [Local Love Live]

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