Award-winning performer Cynthia Erivo shines as author with ‘Remember to Dream, Ebere’—a personal read-aloud for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online®!

October 4, 2021

LOS ANGELES (October 4, 2021) – Award-winning performing artist Cynthia Erivo is “this close” to getting her EGOT, but she’s not stopping there! Recently, Erivo completed a very special project, one that’s particularly close to her heart—a children’s book of inspiration drawn from her mother titled Remember to Dream, Ebere. As a gift to her millions of fans and young readers everywhere, today, Erivo debuts her story as a read-aloud for the SAGAFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online!

Born to Nigerian parents in London, Erivo’s cross-cultural background and strong family ties fuel not only her success, but her passion. Giving back is key for Erivo and with this personal tale about dreaming big and never giving up, she encourages all young readers to take heart, as well as listen to their hearts. Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Remember to Dream, Ebere centers on a little girl and her mother, and the dreams they decide to build together—a message that received high praise from SAG-AFTRA Foundation President Courtney B. Vance.

“Cynthia and I both had strong mothers who taught us how to dream big, and I’m thrilled that not only did she put this moving personal story out there for our young readers, but that she agreed to read it herself for our children’s literacy program Storyline Online! Having worked with Cynthia and having been a fan of hers long before that, all I can say is that when she gives you positive advice—take it! Dream it and do it!” says Vance.

As with all Storyline Online videos, Remember to Dream, Ebere is accompanied by a complementary supplemental activity guide that aligns with Common Core Standards that strengthen verbal, written and comprehension skills. Aimed at K-1st grade students, these activities encourage children to engage in critical thinking activities and explore the themes of each book, including topics such as conflict resolution, cultural diversity, individualism, facing fears, and family.

An educational brand since 2001, Storyline Online has seen significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote learning has become a standardized norm within households. Boasting a 250% increase in views, and 750% surge in complementary activity guide downloads, the initiative has seen a sharp spike in interaction, shares, and likes, proving to be an essential online resource for families learning at home. While many schools are reopening, Storyline Online remains committed to providing the extra help and extended family time that many families with school-age children need, as well as those with children at home.

Erivo joins the Storyline Online cast of readers including Oprah Winfrey, Rami Malek, Viola Davis, Allison Janney, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Justin Theroux, Michelle Yeoh, Marc Maron Nancy Cartwright and more who have volunteered their time and talent to promote literacy and inspire a love of reading in children.

To watch Remember to Dream, Ebere and all of the Storyline Online videos, visit storylineonline.net. Keep up with new videos by subscribing to Storyline Online on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT STORYLINE ONLINE
An Emmy®-nominated program of the non-profit SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Storyline Online® streams 63 videos at no cost to children, parents, and educators worldwide. The site receives over 20 million views every month and is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, and named one of the best websites of 2019 by the American Association of School Librarians. In addition to the website, Storyline Online offers a free app for iPhone and Chrome devices. Storyline Online, like all SAG-AFTRA Foundation programs, relies solely on support from gifts, grants and sponsorships to produce new read alouds. For more information, visit storylineonline.net.

ABOUT THE SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides vital assistance and free educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA while serving the public at large through its award-winning children’s literacy program Storyline Online®. The Foundation relies solely on support from gifts, grants and sponsorships to maintain its free programs. For more information, visit sagaftra.foundation.

Connect with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Twitter: @sagaftraFOUND
Instagram: @sagaftraFOUND
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftrafoundation
YouTube: youtube.com/sagaftrafoundation
Hashtag: #SAGAFTRAfound

Contact: Caroline O’Connor
Director of Communications
coconnor@sagaftra.foundation
323-549-6604

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