BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//sebbo.net//ical-generator//EN NAME:Edison Public Library X-WR-CALNAME:Edison Public Library BEGIN:VEVENT UID:57ada0c5-6077-4683-b26b-6116935ed9e5 SEQUENCE:0 DTSTAMP:20260824T133211Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251008T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251008T200000 SUMMARY:Freedom to Read LOCATION:North Edison Branch\nNorth Edison Branch X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=North Edison Branch;X-APPL E-RADIUS=10;X-TITLE=North Edison Branch:geo:40.5756994,-74.3589601 GEO:40.5756994;-74.3589601 DESCRIPTION:Join us in observance of Banned Books Week for a thought-provo king conversation..\nhttps://edisonpubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/1457181 2 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Representatives from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of New Jerse y (AAPI NJ)\, Garden State Equality\, and \;New Jersey State Library will lead a timely discussion on the power of diverse representation in literature\ , the consequences of censorship\, and the significance of the recently pa ssed Freedom to Read Act\, which upholds every reader&rsquo\;s right to ac cess a broad range of perspectives in libraries.

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Discover the impo rtant work of these three leading New Jersey organizations such as:

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  • AAPI NJ&rsquo\;s Teach Asian American Stories initiative\, empowe ring educators to bring Asian American experiences into the classroom.
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  • Garden State Equality&rsquo\;s advocacy for amplifying the voices o f LGBTQ+ communities across the state.
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  • New Jersey State Library& rsquo\;s leadership in developing policies and best practices that support intellectual freedom in public libraries in accordance with the Freedom t o Read Act.
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    Don&rsquo\;t miss this meaningful opportunity to engage with vital issues\, connect with passionate advocates\, and cele brate the freedom to read!

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    Registration is encouraged\, but not ma ndatory. This event is open to adults. Light refreshments will be served.& nbsp\;

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    Unable to attend in person? No worries! You can wat ch the event live on YouTube at this link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ke6Q50R8-s.

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    About the Panelists:

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    Dr. Dakashna Lang is a d edicated English teacher with 22 years of experience in Livingston\, NJ. I n 2024\, she was honored as one of the inaugural fellows of the Teach Asia n American Stories fellowship with AAPI NJ\, and she remains an active TAA S Ambassador. Dr. Lang holds advanced degrees from Johns Hopkins Universit y\, the University of Pennsylvania\, and a Doctor of Education in Literacy from Rutgers University. Recently\, she earned certifications in Educatio nal Technology and Diversity\, Equity\, and Inclusion. A 2025 recipient of the ECEA Racial Advocacy Award and the NJEA Human Rights Committee's Judi th Owens Spirit Award\, Dr. Lang is deeply committed to advancing social j ustice and equity in education.

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    < img src="https://static.libnet.info/frontend-images/editor/edisonpubliclib rary/Brielle_Headshot.jpg" width="200" height="188" alt="" style="float: l eft\; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px\;" />Brielle Winslow-Majette is the Deputy Director of Garden State Equality\, where she leads init iatives aimed at addressing inequities facing the LGBTQ+ community. In add ition to her role at Garden State Equality\, Brielle is a professor at Rut gers University\, teaching LGBTQIA+ Policy to both graduate and undergradu ate students. She serves on the board of the Equality Federation and the P resident's Advisory Board at Montclair State University. A sought-after sp eaker\, Brielle has presented at events across the U.S. and internationall y. She was instrumental in founding the National Black Caucus and currentl y chairs the Racial Justice Committee for the Equality Federation.

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    Aaron Potenza is a Policy & \; Training Consultant at Garden State Equality with a deep expertise in a dvocacy and public policy. Currently a private consultant\, Aaron has held a variety of leadership roles\, including Chair of New Jersey&rsquo\;s Tr ansgender Equality Task Force and Policy Director for Garden State Equalit y from 2015 to 2019\, where he played a key role in passing pro-equality l egislation across both Republican and Democratic administrations. With a b ackground in History and Gender Studies from the University of Rhode Islan d and a graduate degree in American Studies from Yale University\, Aaron w as recognized by Insider NJ in 2021 as one of New Jersey's most respected transgender advocates.

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    Jennifer Nelson has served as State Librarian at the New Jersey State Library since February 2021\, where she provides leadership and strategic direction. She fosters partnerships wit h state agencies\, positioning libraries as vital community resources. Wit h over 35 years of library experience\, Jen has a strong background in dig ital inclusion\, focusing on teens\, job seekers\, people with disabilitie s\, and ESL communities. She previously served as Minnesota's State Librar ian from 2013 to 2021\, earning the Governor's Award for Continuous Improv ement in 2015. Jen holds a bachelor&rsquo\;s degree from SUNY Buffalo and both a master&rsquo\;s degree in Library and Information Studies and a mas ter&rsquo\;s in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison .

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