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AMERICAN ANTHEMS: Make Tomorrow Come Today

Meredith McKinney, founder of the Black Book Project, at an elementary school book giveaway.
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
/
PBS
Meredith McKinney, founder of the Black Book Project, at an elementary school book giveaway.

Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Stream now with KPBS Passport!

Meredith McKinney provides underserved children with books featuring diverse characters. Grammy nominee Cam, a diversity advocate in the music industry, teams with songwriter Dre Williams to perform a stirring original folk anthem for Meredith.

Meredith McKinney, founder of the Black Book Project sits down with singer/songwriter Cam to discuss the importance of representation in children's literature, how Cam finds inspiration for writing her songs, and how Meredith found her calling. The two then join a young volunteer and help label books for donation.

About The Series: This six-part series celebrates the inspiring efforts of individuals facing extraordinary circumstances with surprise songs written and performed by music's biggest stars. Each episode follows a different featured artist, including Grammy Award-winning country artist Jennifer Nettles, as they turn a local hero’s transformative story into a powerful and deeply personal anthem.

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Meredith McKinney, founder of Black Book Project, receives and distributes books with African American protagonists and donates them to children who might have not had the opportunity to see the likes of themselves represented in literature. The children express their excitement to take the books home.

Watch On Your Schedule: AMERICAN ANTHEMS is available to stream with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.

Singer/songwriter Cam sits down with friend and songwriter/musician Dre Williams to write an inspired ballot. Cam discusses her reasoning behind key lyrics and even vocal arrangement that is meaningful to the story of Meredith McKinney and the importance of the Black Book Project.

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