Anna Nyakana

Viewing: School Visits - View all posts

The Niyah Zuri 2022 Tour Extends to The Nelson Mandela School of Berlin - Berlin, Germany  

After kicking off The Niyah Zuri 2022 Tour in Atlanta, GA in February for the NFL's “Tackle Reading Across America Day,” the movement continued to make impact across the U.S. leading me across the World in April - back to my birthplace of Berlin, Germany! I had the double-honor of bringing the Niyah Zuri series to the students of The Nelson Mandela School of Berlin as Nelson Mandela is also one of my lifelong heroes. 

“As an international school with a global perspective, the Nelson Mandela School promotes especially any theoretical and practical work on the following key aspects: human rights, peace & international cooperation, tolerance & intercultural learning, a fair exchange between rich and poor and a responsible use of the environment.” 

Deepest thanks to the staff and faculty of The Nelson Mandela School for their assistance with coordinating this exclusive visit and book signing, this is a full-circle moment that honors my family, our roots, and my purpose. 

Click here for more information about The Nelson Mandela School of Berlin

Anna Nyakana Joins The Ballin 4 Peace 2nd Annual "Celebrating Our Wins" All-Women’s Panel  

Ballin 4 Peace Presents 2nd Annual "Celebrating Our Wins" All-Women’s Panel To Honor Women’s History Month

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24, 2022--- 

Ballin 4 Peace is proud to present the 2nd Annual “Celebrating Our Wins” all-women’s panel discussion to honor Women’s History Month in March and celebrate women in our communities who are overcoming obstacles and striving for greatness each day. 

This year’s “Celebrating Our Wins” all-women’s panel will take place on Thursday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m. EST live from Democracy Prep Endurance High School in New York and features a gifted, talented, and successful group led by moderator, Marie David."

After putting together a successful event held virtually last March, this year we wanted to do something special for the second ‘Celebrating Our Wins’ all-women’s panel as we celebrate Women's History Month,” said Ballin’ 4 Peace Founder, Haron Hargrave. 

“This year’s panelists have all overcome obstacles on their way to establishing their professional careers in sports, business, marketing, writing, teaching, music, and activism, and we can’t wait for them to share their story with the students, faculty, and community at Democracy Prep Endurance High School.”

SOURCE: Ballin4Peace 

Anna Nyakana partners with The NFL for National "Tackle Reading Day 2022" - Atlanta, GA 

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 2, 2022 --- It is my Honor to Announce that I’ve OFFICIALLY PARTNERED with the NFL for their NATIONAL TACKLE READING ACROSS AMERICA DAY 2022 in partnership with Atlanta Public School's Heritage Academy, March 2, 2022! THE #NIYAHZURITRIBEHAS OFFICIALLY BECOME THE #NIYAHZURINATION!!!

“Tackle Reading Across America Day” traditionally celebrated as "World Read Aloud Day" in honor of Dr. Seuss' Birthday, is geared to promote local youth literacy and introduce books by minority authors from around the US. I’ll be reading and signing copies of “Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh’s Throne” alongside NFL Athletes, Owners, and Atlanta-based Entertainers, Artists, Media & More! Then we’ll shut the school down with a Pep-Rally to EMPOWER the students for a LIFETIME! 

Anna Nyakana Brings the Niyah Zuri Series to boogie down bronx - Bronx, NY 

YERRR!!! NIYAH ZURI BOOKS IS OFFICIALLY in the BRONX! A HUGE THANK YOU to Bronx Native and BxWriters' Josue Caceres for Hosting my Author Event and Being the First Store in the BX to Officially Carry the Niyah Zuri series!  

BIG S/O to the #NiyahZuriTribe that pulled up - Thank you for the Genuine Support and Fueling my Purpose to Empower and Educate our Youth! Grateful for the Growth of the Movement - This is Just the Beginning!

 

 

Anna Nyakana's "Leap for Literacy" Virtual Author - Atlanta, GA 

 

 

I had a TREMENDOUS virtual author visit with 800+ STUDENTS two weeks ago organized by the incredible Leap for Literacy based down in Atlanta, Georgia! Thank you for asking me to share my story and contribute my writing tips for these future authors. Let's continue the work to "promote literacy, kindness, and a love of reading and writing in children to create life-long learners!" A BIG THANK YOU to Stan Tucker for leading such an impactful organization and supporting my Niyah Zuri movement!

Anna Nyakana hosts Summer Writer's Workshop with KidsAct - Baltimore, MD 

 

 

 

“If you can THINK it, it can BE! The only difference between you THINKING something and it ACTUALLY happening is ACTION! So let’s take some action, TIME is of the ESSENCE!” Loved hosting my Writers Workshop with @kidsactmd this week! Continue to inspire these budding creatives to express themselves through the Arts! S/O to the dedicated CEO and my little Sis Tonya Elizabeth for her dedication to ensuring campers can continue their education in the Arts through a virtual setting!

ABOUT

Kids Are Creative Thinkers is a summer camp and after school program for young aspiring artists where they are free to creative expression. Founded in March of 2019, Tonya Mayo has found it vital to understand and collaborate with artists around the community and give our children open space to find their creative outlet. Since our virtual summer camp has come to an end, we do not want to leave our SCA's hanging so we are providing a virtual after school program! Join us virtually and take a look at what our program has to offer! TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: www.kidsactmd.com

Anna Nyakana visits Clinton Avenue School for World Read Aloud Day 2020 - New Haven, CT 

I had the honor of celebrating World Read Aloud Day 2020 at Clinton Avenue School in New Haven, CT this week! Students at Clinton Avenue School acquire a love of learning and a sense of global citizenship with a project and inquiry based learning model aligned with rigorous instruction and high expectations. 60 bilingual students joined my visit as I delved into chapters of "Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne," reading aloud to inspire their creative young minds! "The twins sound like me," Anthony shouted, to which I responded, "And just like the twins, you keep pushing and keep believing in yourself!" After wrapping my visit, I roamed the halls to track down the classroom of recent Milken educator award winner Ms. Lauren Sepulveda - I crashed her class to extend my congratulations to this elite Connecticut educator (keep inspiring your students to learn and connect with the world around them!).

Thank you to Principal Kristina DeNegre and Vice Principal Patricia Gantenbein for inviting me to share in this literacy celebration. Special thanks also to Jennifer Quirk, Library Media Specialist, for liaising and coordinating of this event!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy World Read Aloud Day!!!?#WorldReadAloudDay #BlackHistoryMonth #AuthorVisit

A post shared by ???? ??????? (@niyah_zuri) on

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

"Keep reading & see where the story leads you..." #WorldReadAloudDay #BlackHistoryMonth #AuthorVisit

A post shared by ???? ??????? (@niyah_zuri) on

Read more

Anna Nyakana visits Fred D. Wish Museum School - Hartford, CT 

I had an impactful visit at Fred D. Wish Museum School in Hartford, CT to wrap up the week-long celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! The mission of Fred D. Wish Museum School is to L.E.A.D. their students to LEARN, EXPLORE, ACHIEVE, and DISCOVER their dreams and goals. I had the pleasure to connect with an all-boys after school program discussing my book "Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne" and the importance of diversity and representation in the books we read as well as how to create individual goals to achieve your biggest dreams. My visit wrapped with a writer's workshop, as I led the group to collaborate on their very own short story, which will be presented at their next Literacy Night event. A big THANK YOU to Caitlin Brexley, Literacy Coach (Hartford Public Schools) and Gelda St. Juste, Community Schools Site Coordinator (The Village for Families & Children) for coordinating the visit!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Creative Juices ?⚡️... #AuthorVisit #WritersWorkshop

A post shared by ???? ??????? (@niyah_zuri) on

Read more

Anna Nyakana visits Capital Prep Magnet - Hartford, CT 

I had the honor of wrapping Women's History Month with 80 students at Capital Prep Magnet school in Hartford, CT. This Pre-K through 12th grade charter school aspires to create a community of lifelong learners who will be assets to their community by working towards Social Justice. During our deep dive into Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne, we talked about overcoming challenges, aspiring to make impacts in our community, and the importance of diversity. Thank you to Principal Dr. Kitsia Ferguson for your support and Joaner Weidman, Projects and Program Support Facilitator, for organizing this event!

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

”Your zip code does not define you; you are boundless...” #ChildrensBooks #Education #WomensHistoryMonth

A post shared by Author: Anna Nyakana (@niyah_zuri) on Mar 29, 2019 at 8:59am PDT

Read more

Anna Nyakana visits Capital Prep Harbor School - Bridgeport, CT 

I had an amazing day at Capital Prep Harbor School in Bridgeport, CT spreading the Niyah Zuri message of Diversity and Believing in one's self! This forward-thinking charter school is changing lives by providing historically disadvantaged students with the college and career readiness skills needed to become responsible and engaged citizens for social justice. I spent the morning speaking with parents about their child's interests and how my book Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne can further inspire their curiosity and love of reading and writing. After wrapping a book signing for select classes, I engaged with with 3rd and 4th grades to discuss their recent writing assignments and answer questions about the Niyah Zuri series. I was honored to autograph a copy of my book to a Kindergartener who stopped by the book signing and declared she had to go home with a copy; my youngest reader yet! Finally, the day concluded with an assembly of 3rd through 6th grades, 220 students in all! I loved sharing excerpts from my book, the origin stories for my characters, and reminding them of the importance of diversity in the books they read. Black History month also reminds us to leave our own mark in history, so I encouraged each student to "always believe in yourself, others will follow."

 

 

 
 
 
Read more

Anna Nyakana Visits Pretty Brown Girls Club at Thirman Milner School - Hartford, CT 

Had a powerful Author Visit with the Pretty Brown Girls Club at Thirman Milner School in Hartford, CT. We spent a couple of hours discussing the importance of Sisterhood and creating a safe space for each girl to share some of the challenges they face daily. Pulling examples from my book "Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne" and the fearless heroine Niyah Zuri, we developed solutions to these challenges and committed ourselves to BEING CONQUERORS!

 

Read more

Anna Nyakana Visits Harbor Elementary - New London, CT 

What an exciting day spent with the bright minded students over at Harbor Elementary in New London, CT! I had a wonderful Author Visit with Ms Sklar's 3rd grade class as I read chapter excerpts from my book "Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne", discussed the importance of diversity, and answered some Q&A. Looking forward to returning before the end of the school year!

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Inspire; then pass it forward... @nlpublicschools #BlackHistoryMonth #WomensHistoryMonth #NewLondon @thedayct #AuthorVisit #ChildrensBooks #Education #MultiCultural

A post shared by Author: Anna Nyakana (@niyah_zuri) on Feb 28, 2018 at 6:21pm PST

 

"Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne" Author Anna Nyakana Visits International Magnet School - South Windsor, CT 

In celebration of Black History Month and World Read Aloud Day 2017, I kicked off my book tour this week at International Magnet School (a CREC School) in South Windsor, CT. Thank you to Principal Tinh and IMS educators Ms. Bergeron, Ms. Perry, Mrs. Zdrojeski, Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Penecassio, Ms. Pacheco, and Ms. Shannon!

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE A CREATIVE STUDENT FEEDBACK COLLAGE created by the students of IMS!