NASHVILLE, TN (WTVF) — The Black Book Project was launched in early 2021 by former teacher Meredith McKinney.

Since the launch, McKinney has collected books featuring black characters for children who otherwise would not have access to books featuring them.

Last year, the goal was to raise 500 books by the end of February 2021. It was quickly exceeded, and more than 1,300 books were donated.

“I started the Black Book Project in hopes that I could increase representation in literature so that our brown and black children understand that they are important, and that they should be represented, and that they should have the opportunity to own books that represent them,” McKinney said.

The mission is to get more children reading, but it’s also important that they can see themselves coming to life on these pages.

“It’s so important to instill in them and have them recognize that they’re beautiful just the way they are. Their hair is growing out of their scalp the way it should be and it’s beautiful,” McKinney said. “And so really trying to instill that in them at a very young age while promoting literacy at the same time.”

McKinney wants to get 2,000 books donated before Black History Month ends in February.

This story was originally reported by Kelsey Gibbs on newschannel5.com.