Nov 17, 2023

Kendra Scott unveiled the first Little Yellow Library at the P.S. 108K The Sal Abbracciamento School in Brooklyn, NY, but Dallas ISD is getting one, too. [Photo: Kendra Scott] The Austin-based Kendra Scott Foundation, in partnership with First Book, is launching its inaugural Little Yellow Library this month in four Texas schools including Tom C. Gooch Elementary School in Dallas on Nov. 28. The national launch was last week at PS 108 in Brooklyn, New York. “At Kendra Scott, philanthropy comes first — it’s a key pillar of our core values,” Kendra Scott, founder, executive chairwoman and chief creative officer of the namesake brand, said in a statement. “We are dedicated to uplifting youth and making meaningful impacts through education. Library enrichment is one of the first things we can do for these kids at a young age — particularly for those without access to something as simple as books. Sometimes we don’t stop to think what a luxury literacy truly is, and we’re proud to provide resources to make that possible wherever we can, to serve underserved students and communities.” The foundation said the Little Yellow Library is its latest program to provide access to books through First Book, which provides books and resources to classrooms and libraries that need them most. If children cannot read by the third grade, they cannot get the most out of their education, ultimately limiting their potential, the foundation said. By launching Little Yellow Libraries in Title I schools, the foundation said it will help enrich the lives of youth through education by helping children thrive in school. Education is one of the foundation’s primary philanthropic programs, and the foundation works to uplift educators, underserved students, and families through scholarships, literacy and learning, and library enrichment. The Little Yellow Library concept will be launching in four Texas markets this year. Along with Tom C. Gooch Elementary School in Dallas, the others are Baty Elementary School (Austin) on Nov. 29; Adams Elementary School (San Antonio) on Nov. 30; and Best Elementary (Houston) on Dec. 1. Kendra Scott Foundation partnered with Texas YES to identify schools in need in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio and the United Federation of Teachers in NYC. Bringing the Little Yellow Library to more schools The foundation said that its 4-foot by 3-foot custom Little Yellow Library bookshelves were designed by the Kendra Scott creative team to appeal specifically to children, featuring accessible shelves and an inviting, arched silhouette in the brand’s cheerful yellow color, featuring 200 multicultural and bilingual books from First Book. Along with it comes a $1,000 gift certificate to the First Book Marketplace to buy more books, and a $2,500 grant from the Kendra Scott Foundation to support the school. Each student will also receive a social-emotional learning book and stuffed animal in partnership with Slumberkins. The foundation said that First Book is a recognized leader in education and literacy advocacy and reaches 5 million children annually in low-income communities across North America. It provides books and resources through a network of more than 575,000 educators, the largest online community of its kind. As the foundation’s focus is on literacy efforts this holiday season, Kendra Scott customers can round up their change to the nearest dollar in Kendra Scott stores and online through Dec. 31. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, expanding efforts towards launching 15 additional libraries in Title 1 schools across the country in 2024. The foundation said that beginning Nov. 28, which coincides with Giving Tuesday, Title I educators can submit an application for a Little Yellow Library. Lifestyle brand Kendra Scott LLC was founded in 2002 and is known for its design and material innovation, use of color, and signature shapes. It offers fashion, demi-fine and fine jewelry, watches, engagement rings, home accessories, and a men’s collection, Scott Bros. by Kendra Scott. Get on the list. Dallas Innovates, every day. Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day. One quick signup, and you’re done. A collaboration between the university’s Meadows School of the Arts and Cox School of Business, the SMU Impact Lab aims to equip the next generation of SMU students to understand impact investing through education and practice. By aligning "profits and purpose," SMU said it's committed to advancing the idea of "investing for the greater good." UT Southwestern researchers have used gene editing technology to develop what could be a breakthrough for dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that affects one in 250 people worldwide. “The pace of this field is really breathtaking,” said Eric Olson, Ph.D., who co-led the study. “I expect that if this moves forward into patients, we’re not talking within decades—we’re talking within years.”​ Michael McMahan follows Kathleen Gibson as CEO, who spent 10 years at the helm of the foundation. McMahan worked for more than a decade at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. He'll now lead the foundation in its mission to build "a sustainable funding source for innovative research, best-in-class medical education, and the highest standard of treatment and care."