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.  Using affirming stories to nurture a child’s self-esteem, confidence, self-concept, and appreciation of their unique history and culture.

She also leads culturally affirming book clubs across the city including the Black to Nature Book Club that celebrates our relationship to nature, the Black Joy Book Club that provides a safe and supportive space for Black and biracial readers, the Conscious Curls Book Club, and the Black Dads Storytime and Book Club.

Janet is a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for 2020, a recipient of the Leadership Lamp for Equity in Denver Public Schools, and recipient of the School Librarian of the Year, Salute to Excellence Award.

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, culturally responsive librarianship, and equity. They have presented for the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference, Denver Comicon, the National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color.

Janet has also provided anti-racist & anti-bias workshops for Arapahoe Library District, Pikes Peak Library District, Boulder Public Library, Jefferson Country Library, Louisville Public Library, and School Library Journal.  As well as professional development for librarians in Denver Public Schools and Arizona State Library.

Janet serves on the Board of Directors for the Montbello Organizing Committee and the Black Child Development Institute Wisdom Board, Mate Masie, and co-founded the Women of Color Affinity group in Denver.

In her spare time, she 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.

Interested in a workshop or presentation? Email janetrdamon@gmail.com