Janet Rene Damon, Ed.S is a literacy engagement activist who has worked to empower families and support their access to libraries and collections that feature positive representation of diverse children and families.

She is an educator with over twenty years of experience working with students and families as a librarian and literacy consultant. Janet has taught U.S. History, Ethnic Studies, Literacy Intervention and Information Literacy with students K-12 and is currently the Library Services Specialist for the Denver Public Schools.

An experienced facilitator, she helps students, families, and community members build reading habits at home. increasing access to books and resources that support a child’s self-esteem, confidence, self-concept, and appreciation of their unique history and culture.

She is the founder of Afros and Books, a collective of librarians of color & LGBTQ+ staff who promote self-liberation through libraries. This team leads workshops and presentations on diverse books and culturally responsive librarianship. They have presented for the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference, Denver Comicon, the National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color, Pikes Peak Library District, and School Library Journal.

Janet serves on the Board for Families Forward Resource Center, Write Our World, and SOAR Charter School. In her spare time she is a City Captain for Black Girls Hike and dances with the Intergenerational Women’s African Drum and Dance Ensemble (IWADDE) alongside her daughters. She also writes a multicultural motherhood and festival blog at mixmomma.com.

Email is mixmomma@gmail.com