In July of 2019 Isaac Cudjoe- Seneca ’12 and Kevin Isabelle-Peete – Northwest ’13 created, “Brothers With Books.” Brothers With Books is a community action group, born out of a dedication and desire to cultivate literacy in Montgomery County. Cudjoe and Isabelle-Peete’s wanted to help ensure that all students had equal access to books this past summer, but after interacting with community members and leaders, the company’s goal has expanded. This is the success story of two Montgomery County Public School alumni diligently fulfilling their call to servicing kids in their own District Two.
What is Brothers With Books?
“By the organizations name, it may be evident that we are known for book giving. While giving out free books is what BWB is known for, BWB has grown into a mission to educate and mentor community members on various community programs, such as the MCPS Summer Meals Program and the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip program. Together we work in coalition to advocate for action plans they feel is necessary to close the opportunity and achievement gap in Montgomery county,” Cudjoe and Isabelle-Peete said.
Cudjoe expressed the importance of making sure the “holistic” needs of the children are met. When asked to further elaborate on “holistic needs,” Cudjoe and Isabelle-Peete defined it as how happy a child is: making sure a child’s needs are taken care of, and ensuring a child’s happiness, something that the numbers and data do not provide but hope to contribute to. BWB plans on organizing a winter coat drive for Montgomery County children living in uncomfortable financial situation to contribute to students holistic needs.
On Saturday November second, BWB announced they will be releasing a scholarship. In the private interview, the founders disclosed that there will be multiple scholarships. The scholarships are created by the community for the community. One way anybody could contribute is by using PayPal. As more money is raised, larger scholarships can be given. BWB is raising money to expand the scholarships for more students in Montgomery County. BWB relies on nominating educators to select the students. Middle schoolers will be nominated by teachers who have noticed remarkable growth in their students literacy and could use financial assistance. High Schoolers scholarships have not been announced yet but will be disclosed in the near future. All submissions will omit any information about the student and shall be chosen only by their submitted work.
Why was Brothers With Books created?
In an email, Isaac stated…
“The truth is, Kevin and I didn’t start Brothers With Book to become known for book giving. We started it to break down walls, build bridges, keep community leaders accountable, and above all else promote a deep love for our neighbors. A few years ago, Kevin and I were pulled over by four undercover police officers. “You crossed the line at the light” twisted into hours of interrogations, a car search, an officer who made sure we understood he was armed, getting searched for weapons, getting fingerprinted to authenticate my identity and more. Kevin and I “matched a description.” One that was solely based on the color of our skin. It didn’t matter how many degrees we had, what church we went to, or what we were wearing. We were two black men, leaving a Starbucks and we “just so happened” to match the description of criminals, delinquents, wrongdoers – you name it.”
Sharing how this sense of personal humiliation caused by the public system, was turned into motive in creating Brothers With Books could serve as an example to many who have encountered similar situations. Isaac Cudjoe and Kevin Isabelle-Peete story and mission could serve as a role model to the youth of district two and touch youths heart across the nation.
Achievements
Since July Brothers With Books has received and given out over seven thousand book donations. Starting off by serving Montgomery Village Middle School, the initiative has grown to serve multiple schools such as Roscoe Nix Elementary, Bryant Woods Elementary, South Lake Elementary, Harmony Hills Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr Middle, and Seneca Valley High School. Brothers With Books have even made a special appearance at the Montgomery County Back to School Fair, launched a Walmart Book Giveaway, led Group Trip to Maryland Book Bank and given out books at Germantown’s Oktoberfest. Brothers With books has even partnered with the “ReTurn” Movement to help fill up libraries around the world.
Kevin Isabelle-Peete mentioned how the best part about BWB mission is seeing the community’s reaction. Both in donation and giving. He even shared how many feel tricked into getting free books to keep because they always have to give back their books or pay a fee. Seeing their gratitude and disbelief is very heartwarming for Isabelle-Peete and Cudjoe to witness.
Future Contributions
Both Isabelle-Peete and Cudjoe have full time jobs- Isabelle-Peete is a senior at Towson University studying early education while serving as a leader as Towson’s Educators Rising Collegiate Club. While Cudjoe is the Academic Operations Manager at Walden University. However founders Isabelle-Peete and Cudjoe clearly stated, “there is no side hustle if you are truly passionate about something.” Brothers With Books could not function without community involvement.
“It is not a Kevin and I thing. It’s just as much as you, as it is us,” Cudjoe said.
Cudjoe and Kevin Isabelle-Peete wanted to shake that BWB’s Instagram direction messaging is always open and available to help point community members to the right resource. Donations pay for any experiences needed in carrying out their mission and in providing their scholarships. Drops offs and pick up could be coordinated in their DM’s. For the month of November, BWB will have a donation box in BlackRock Art Center in Germantown, Maryland. Additional announcements and resources are shared via Brother With Books Instagram page.
Article by Daniela Perez of Northwest High School
Graphic courtesy of Brothers With Books