Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: Children's Book Signing: Author Jowan Smith

Registration now closed

Children's Book Signing: Author Jowan Smith

2023-04-15 14:00:00 2023-04-15 16:00:00 America/New_York Children's Book Signing: Author Jowan Smith Local author Jowan Smith will discuss two of her children's books, "Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream" and "Mya, Mya, Mya." Register online, in person, or by phone at 330.864.5721. Maple Valley Branch Library - Community Room

Saturday, April 15
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Add to Calendar 2023-04-15 14:00:00 2023-04-15 16:00:00 America/New_York Children's Book Signing: Author Jowan Smith Local author Jowan Smith will discuss two of her children's books, "Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream" and "Mya, Mya, Mya." Register online, in person, or by phone at 330.864.5721. Maple Valley Branch Library - Community Room

Local author Jowan Smith will discuss two of her children's books, "Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream" and "Mya, Mya, Mya." Register online, in person, or by phone at 330.864.5721.

Jowan Smith is the CEO of Getting Our Babies to College 101, creator of 1,000 Ties, an author, and a motivational speaker.

Raised in Cleveland and a graduate of John Hay High School, she has a big heart for the city. While going through the college prep process with her daughter, she noticed the lack of resources available to parents and decided to do something. She started Getting Our Babies to College 101 after winning the education category in the Cleveland Leadership Center Accelerate 2017. Jowan created curriculum to assist families with the post-secondary education process starting in middle school. She facilitates workshops in five local school districts. To date, she has assisted over 2,500 students.

In 2019, Jowan created an event called 1,000 Ties for young men ages 6-21 to teach them skills that she felt were getting lost. The goal is to teach them skills they will have for a lifetime and connect them with men from the community that can become their mentors. She has hosted the event for three years with almost 1,000 participants.

She has been awarded the Future History Maker 2019 Award and the NCNW Trailblazer Award 2019. She was featured in the Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland Celebrate those that give Black 2019 exhibit as an Emerging Philanthropist. In 2020, she was honored as a Drum Major of Change by the Cleveland Public Library and a Phenomenal Woman Award recipient. She was awarded the Unsung Hero Award in 2022 by Cleveland Public Library. Jowan went on to win the Cleveland Leadership Center Accelerate Competition in 2020 for the 1,000 Ties etiquette program. Her nonprofit 1,000 Ties won the Community Service Award in the 2021 Stiletto Boss Awards.

She released her first children's book, "Zakari Goes to College," in August of 2020. Her second book, "Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream," was released in April of 2021, and her new book, "Zakari's Carnival Adventure," was released in March of this year.

Maple Valley Branch Library

maplevalley@akronlibrary.org
Phone: 330.864.5721
Branch manager
Tonya Wright

Hours
We're closed Monday May 29 due to Memorial Day
Mon, May 29 Closed
(Memorial Day)
Tue, May 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 31 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 02 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jun 03 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 04 Closed

About the branch

The Maple Valley Branch Library is a key component of a neighborhood that finds a welcoming community gathering place within its walls. Artwork features local artists Debra Calhoun, Melissa Daubert, and the late Miller Horns, and a plaque pays tribute to poet and Maple Valley childhood customer Rita Dove. Rich book, movie, and music collections celebrate, among other genres, the extensive contribution of African-Americans to the arts, literature. In addition, the library is a hub of activity that ranges from computers and computer classes, WiFi, printing, copying, scanning and faxing, to hundreds of programs for all ages on themes as diverse as local history, book discussions, crafting, storytelling, homework help, and more.

Local non-profit groups meet at the Maple Valley Branch Library frequently, and Library staff can be found participating in events at local schools and as participants in community organizations working toward neighborhood success. Maple Valley Branch Library is the one-stop spot for education, creativity, and entertainment to suit all interests.

Upcoming Events

Thu, Jun 01, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Conference Room

Sat, Jun 03, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room

Mon, Jun 05, 10:30am - 2:00pm
Community Room

Thu, Jun 08, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Community Room

Thu, Jun 08, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Zoom

Thu, Jun 08, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Conference Room

Sat, Jun 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Conference Room

Mon, Jun 12, 10:30am - 2:00pm
Community Room

Tue, Jun 13, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Community Room

Thu, Jun 15, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Community Room

Thu, Jun 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Conference Room

Sat, Jun 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Community Room

Sat, Jun 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room

Thu, Jun 22, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Community Room

Thu, Jun 22, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Conference Room

Sat, Jun 24, 10:30am - 11:30am

Mon, Jun 26, 10:30am - 2:00pm
Community Room

Mon, Jun 26, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Conference Room

Tue, Jun 27, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Community Room