Dr. Artika R. Tyner and her amazing books are the roots of the amazing nonprofit Planting People Growing Justice. In April 2020, she wrote the children's book "Justice Makes a Difference." “Words are powerful,” Grandma told Justice. “They can be used in powerful ways to do good or to do harm. That’s why it’s important to always be careful with your words.”Justice has grown up witnessing the many ways her grandma serves the community. She wants to make a difference in the world, too, but how? Isn’t she too young?Through conversations with her grandma and their shared love of books, Justice learns about important women and men throughout history who changed the world: Ella Baker, Shirley Chisholm, Charles Hamilton Houston, Dr. Wangari Maathai, Paul Robeson, and Ida B. Wells. Justice learns how each leader was a champion for advancing justice and improving the world, and she dreams of becoming a change maker, too—“Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire,” a superhero with a law degree and an afro!Written by Dr. Artika Tyner and Jacklyn Milton, passionate educators and community advocates, Justice Makes a Difference is the inspiring story of one little girl’s realization that her name is her destiny. Get this great book for the child in your life!
Interested in bettering your leadership style? In 2022, Dr. Tyner wrote The Inclusive Leader: Taking Intentional Action for Justice and Equity. This is a great book too!
The work that PPGJLI brings to the community fills me with hope for the future. Their tireless dedication not only unveils potential but builds cultural bridges. I am deeply touched by the way they empower youth to become leaders at a very young age. I witness lives changing as a result of their commitment to literacy and leadership and it is both uplifting and inspiring.
Previous Stories
I had the joy and honor of watching faces light up when Dr. Tyner shared her book "Justice Makes a Difference" with a group of 5th graders in Orlando. Not only were they engaged and uplifted by the book's message and the dialogue that accompanied it, but they all lined up with such enthusiasm to receive a book of their own to take home.
When I think of PPGJLI, I think of generosity and dedication. The organization supports youth wherever there is a need and has already donated over 10,000 diverse books. Through positive messaging and relatable characters, they have inspired thousands of students to enjoy reading, reach for their dreams, discover their leadership potential, and serve as change agents in their communities.
Their efforts are inspiring and equipping young lives and nothing could be more important to creating a vibrant future!
Planting People Growing Justice helped me learn about grant research, grant writing, and story telling. It is a great non-profit that serves the Twin Cities community.
I am a proud Board Member of Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. It is incredibly humbling to do this work because I am so passionate about literacy and leadership building. Our commitment to creating diverse books as well as engaging all around their inherent leadership skills is one of a kind. I am proud of the community that we have built across the world and appreciate opportunities to share our work with others.
Previous Stories
The work that Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute is integral to keeping our communities strong. Literacy and leadership are critical pillars of what keep us at our best and I’m proud to know that this organization sustains those competencies for so many. The ability to navigate the world on your own accord because you’ve been given the necessary tools is important. PPGJLI tailors its offerings and programming to providing community members with the resources they need to thrive. I am so proud to know and work with this organization.
PPGJLI is an impactful organization creating young leaders that will make a difference to advance our world. Dr. Tyner at the helm has developed a space for young leaders to be cultivated, exposed, and inspired through her organization, variety of books where we can see characters who reflect us, and programs stretching as far as Ghana. It isn't everyday you meet leaders with the work ethic and passion of Dr. Tyner and I will continue to champion her organization!
St. Peter Claver School is thrilled to have partnered with PPGJL! Dr. Tyner is an amazing role model for our scholars. As a product of the Rondo neighborhood herself, her accomplishments show our scholars that with hard work and belief in your dreams you can do anything!! Dr. Tyner's wisdom is a gift that needs to be shared. She is a woman of many talents and her generosity and passion for literacy emanates from her very soul. Thank you, Dr. Tyner, for sharing your talents with our scholars.
My Aunts books are definitely needed in our community. Giving kids the ability to see positive figures even in a book is important to a young child’s development. My son is able to say “there’s a person that looks like me doing it so why can’t I? This makes me feel good knowing that someone is taking on this mission and it just so happens to be my Aunt Artika. Thank you for all that you do.
“Reading is the key to a successful future.”
I always wanted to learn about India after migrating to the states, but there was only one story from our 4th grade textbook that I could relate to. It took until 4th grade for me to find something relatable about me in school. I’m glad this non profit exists to show up and show out about being someone of color. It brings me joy that Justice is being served by this space existing for children and others who find meaning in it. I’m truly planted here.
I do work in Senchi Ferry, Ghana, West Africa. Fortunately, Dr Tyner's organization PPGJLI has visited our library and recognized that we had no books representing children of color. For that reason, she has been exceptionally kind and donated many of her books. As a result, the number of children, students and local schools are visiting the library in large numbers as they are more interested in reading when they see themselves represented. The learning has improved greatly. We could not be more grateful to Dr Tyner for her generosity and helping us promote reading and learning in this rural poor community. Her books are excellent and continue to draw students every day. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Senchi Ferry Community Library received books from this non profit this year. As part of our goals this year we visited deprived communities with the books received to enable students who cannot travel down to the library to benefits from every library activities.
Diversity is here to stay and it is part of life. I want my grandchildren to understand and expect a more diverse world. What they read is important. Yes, there are many children's books out there, but what do they see and read from a wider cultural perspective? By promoting diverse books from many cultural perspectives, we are helping our children and grandchildren to see the world with a broader perspective. I want to prepare them for world as it is now and will be even more in the future. Artika Tyner is helping me and others so that we can share an excellent group of outstanding books from a wider cultural perspective. She is making the world a better place for all of our children.
As an educator and author, I’ve always understood that knowledge is power. That power of discovery is facilitated through literacy and the love of reading which open minds to new worlds and ideas. I’d seen the dismal statistics on illiteracy combined with the inadequate diversity in books within the publishing industry. My response was ‘It breaks my heart.’ Then I saw a promotional flyer for Justice Makes a Difference, featuring an adorable Black girl as the main character. Justice wore a red superhero cape, inspired through books to be an agent of change. I recognized that I needed to turn my frustration into action and help facilitate transformation. Founded by Dr. Artika Tyner, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute offered me that opportunity. Through my involvement as a volunteer and donor, I’ve watched PPGJLI expand their mission onto a global scale. Nothing compares to witnessing the joy on a child’s face when handed their very own book. There is, of course, work to be done. But PPGJLI works tirelessly to develop readers into leaders. I am proud to be a part of this outstanding organization and hope that I too, can have a positive influence in the lives of children through literacy, leadership, inclusion, and diversity.
I can't speak highly enough of Dr. Tyner's work! I love her children's books. I get them for my nieces and nephews because reading is important, and it's important for them to see themselves in literature at an early age. My three-year-old niece doesn't usually play with dolls, but she can't put down her superhero!
Keep doing this wonderful work of raising awareness and planting seeds around the entire globe!