From our friends at Bookmarks in Winston-Salem:
The Bookmarks Board of Directors is pleased to announce that after guiding the organization for six months, Jamie Rogers Southern has been named Executive Director of Bookmarks.
The Board of Directors conducted a nationwide search for an executive director before unanimously approving hiring Jamie, who started with Bookmarks as a volunteer at the 2009 Festival of Books & Authors.
“Jamie was by far the most qualified candidate, and we are fortunate to have her take the helm and lead Bookmarks into the future,†said Barbara C. Raffaldini, the board chair for Bookmarks. “Jamie’s dedication to and love of Bookmarks are evident. Her desire for Bookmarks to be a force for good in our community is inspiring.â€
Before becoming Interim Executive Director in October 2020, Jamie worked as Bookmarks’ Operations Director for nine years. She previously served as an education coordinator with the American Booksellers Association, managed an independent bookstore in Alabama, and ran her own events company.
One of Jamie’s main focuses in the coming months will be Book with Purpose, an all-ages and communitywide anti-racism initiative, which is part of Bookmarks’ Books with Purpose programming.
“Everyone deserves the chance to see themselves in books and to know that books exist for them to be inspired, entertained and educated,†said Jamie. “As an organization, we must continue and extend our outreach, getting books into the hands of children and adults, and connecting to people through the life-changing power of story.â€
The Book with Purpose anti-racism initiative is scheduled to begin in mid-May and continue through our 16th Annual Festival of Books & Authors, which is scheduled for September, 25, 2021.
Bookmarks is a 501(c)(3) literary arts nonprofit dedicated to igniting the love of reading in our community. We think books connect us, and we want to share joy and inspiration through the life-changing power of story. Everyone deserves the chance to see themselves in books, which is why our outreach focuses on all ages in our community. Through our year-round programs and events, we hope people continue to be inspired, entertained, and challenged by the written word.