University Library News

Georgia State University’s Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence, in collaboration with the Jim Cherry Learning Resources Center – Clarkston Library, invites students, faculty, and staff to a powerful literacy initiative that celebrates innovation, technology, and the transformative power of education. Taking place on October 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Clarkston Student Center (CN 2240) on the Perimeter Campus, this event promises to spark imagination and dialogue around the future of learning.

This year’s theme, “Seeing Ourselves in the Algorithmic Future of Education,” focuses on the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with storytelling. It explores how narratives can inspire young minds to envision and shape the world ahead. The featured text, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, tells the remarkable story of a young Malawian boy who used ingenuity and determination to bring electricity to his village. Available in multiple reading levels and adapted into a Netflix film, the story resonates across generations and serves as a powerful example of innovation born from necessity.

Tamika Barnes, Associate Dean for Perimeter College Library Services, describes the partnership as a strategic collaboration that aligns with the library’s core mission.

“This partnership between the Crim Center and the Clarkston Library really shows our commitment to fairness, innovation, and the power of education to change lives. By mixing STEM with storytelling, we’re not just teaching skills—we’re helping students become future visionaries. Events like this spark creativity, encourage conversations, and help our students see themselves as the builders of tomorrow. It’s a strategic initiative that speaks directly to the heart of our mission,” said Barnes.

Building on this vision, the initiative is designed to cultivate a deeper sense of agency and purpose among students. By connecting literacy with real-world problem-solving, the event encourages participants to see education not just as a pathway to knowledge, but as a tool for transformation.

“Our goal is to empower students across metro Atlanta to become creative problem-solvers for their communities. Innovation is not just about technology; it’s a mindset. It is about using critical thinking, imagination, literacy, libraries, and insight to create meaningful change,” said Angiah Davis, Department Head of the Clarkston Campus and Perimeter College Online Libraries.

Attendees will engage in a panel discussion centered on the film adaptation, featuring Gail McFarland, Ph.D., a Georgia State film instructor and creator of The Film & Media Theory Navigator, alongside Dedren Sneed, founder and CEO of Subsume Studios. Please note that the film will not be screened during the event, so participants are encouraged to watch The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind on Netflix beforehand to fully engage in the conversation.

“We want to remind students, educators, parents, and community members of the collective power we hold to shape and innovate the world around us,” said Dr. Lawanda Cummings, Director of the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence. “Through reading, we unlock new possibilities—building technologies and ways of being that reflect the richness and breadth of our shared future.”

In addition to the discussion, attendees can look forward to free giveaways and information about upcoming storytime events across metro Atlanta. This gathering also serves as a pre-conference event for the SOURCES Conference hosted by the CRIM Center, offering a preview of the inspiring conversations to come. All Georgia State University students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend and be part of this celebration of literacy, creativity, and the future of education.