Ithaca College's Graphic Novel Advisory Board presented "Reading in Color: Expanding Representation Using Graphic Novels" at the Ithaca Loves Teachers event on Feb. 19, 2021.
As part of the “Ithaca Loves Teachers” program, IC’s Graphic Novel Advisory board gave a 90-minute workshop on the use of graphic novels and comics to increase diverse representation. The presentation opened with a discussion of the particular strengths of graphic novels for this purpose, and went on to discuss new and classic titles in each area, sources to find additional texts and suggestions for integrating these texts into the classroom.
The topics covered included specific graphic novels that feature voices of color; depictions of immigration and the issues facing first-generation citizens; LGBTQ+ characters; Mental Health and Physical Disability plots and characters and a discussion of the increasing diversity among superheroes.
The presenters were: Angelina Randazzo (English 2021); Mac Allen (Cinema & Photog., 2021); Miriam Brown (Culture & Comm., 2023); Kaitlyn Dennehy (English, 2022); Xing Ke Elrick (Writing for Film, 2021); Cole Hermann (English 2021); Laura Ilioaei (English 2021); Jalen Lisbon (English, 2022) and Violet Rumble (English 2022).
The Graphic Novel Advisory Board promotes the use of graphic novels to enhance literacy and to provide an outlet for creative writing and art, especially for young people. They work with libraries to help expand and enhance library collections to make graphic novels more available for readers of all ages. Made up of Ithaca College students, they write reviews, publish newsletters, give presentations, run workshops, and complete site-visits to help librarians curate their selections.
For more information go to https://www.ithaca.edu/graphic-novel-advisory-board