WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Log, Ph.D.

Angela Reid taught in the English department at East Forsyth High School for many years. When she retired from Eagle Land, she knew in her heart that her teaching days were not yet over. A graduate of Duke University, Reid has always prized good books as some of her best friends. 

Known for her love of the color purple, Reid is always dressing in purple, driving purple, and even living in a purple home. When she relocated to Georgia, she never stopped wearing her purple and black to volunteer at each biennial National Black Theatre Festival. For the very first time, she will be facilitating a youth book giveaway on Friday, Aug. 2, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the street-level Benton Convention Center’s Salem Ballroom at Friday’s Youth Talent Showcase.

When I was in graduate school, Reid purchased African American novels for me and other East Forsyth graduates who were focused on lifelong learning. The first book she bought for me was “Beloved” by Toni Morrison. Reading this book changed my life. It reminded readers that after slavery, African Americans were looking for their people. The character Beloved could have been one of our ancestors. Reid never stopped teaching after retirement.

“Retirement has given me an opportunity to continue my long-standing passion of exposing our stories to all of our children,” said Reid. “Since before I can remember, one of my passions in life has been immersing myself in good books and sharing books by and about us with others.”

Reid shares books with her family members, church members, and various organizations that cater to educating and entertaining children. Some of these organizations include the KE’NEKT’s Jeffrey Mathis Free Community Library, First Afrikan Church’s monthly “Our Children, Our Stories“ program, the Stweart Foundation monthly programs, and the annual KE’NEKT’s  UJAMAA Festival.

 “I have stepped up my mission to get our stories into the hands of our children. I purchase Black books at discount websites and bookstores with personal funds, generous, consistent donations from family, friends and members of the Imani Reading Group,” said Reid. 

“All of the books I give away have ‘book gift’ labels and photos of the author with me and illustrators. The students are very impressed that I know so many authors,” said Reid.

The year 2024 has been a busy time for Reid’s book giveaways. She gave away books at two HBCU College Fairs – one at Meadowcreek High School and one at Tri-Cities Performing Arts High School. She participated in three children’s events at her church for Graduate Sunday, Caribbean Sunday, and a combined school project and a book fair based on a country, providing clothing, books and school supplies.

The Police Youth Safety Summer Camp had 54 youth to participate. At David Manuel’s ‘I Am Father’ 5K Stonecrest, she gave books to the participants. Also the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Boys to Men/Girls to Pearls Summer Camp had 44 participants. She participates in the Fulton County Sheriff’s Back to School supplies giveaway where more than 100 children show up.

“I thank the Creator often for giving all of the talented writers and illustrators the vision to tell our stories,” said  Reid. “And I will continue to challenge myself and others to share our stories with all children.”