Books For Africa Hosts Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn

Books For Africa was honored to host Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn in Minnesota on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, for discussions at the MINN Summit, and at a Books For Africa reception hosted by Thomson Reuters and Humphrey School Dean Nisha Botchwey.

Discussions included how Books For Africa has shipped over one million books to Peace Corps missions across Africa, and how to ship more in the future. We also reflected on how Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey came up with the idea for the Peace Corps before its creation!

The Books For Africa evening reception featured remarks from Books For Africa Executive Director Pat Plonski, Board President Mike Essien, Board President-Elect Tammie Follett, and Board Member Nisha Botchwey, in addition to Director Spahn. Director Spahn spoke to the unique impact of a book:

"We've just got so much information at our fingertips. And cell phones, and all that, it is not the same as sitting with a book and learning the joy of reading. Of losing yourself in a comic book bin where you're hiding away and just cuddling up with that book and immersing yourself in it. And that is the gift that you all are giving, in addition to the law books, and the chemistry books, and all of those other things, it's this joy of reading and the joy of having access."

Read a full transcript from the evening reception, and check out some photos from this great day!