Dr. Claudette S. McLinn is a retired District Supervising Librarian in Library Services for the Los Angeles Unified School District with over 34 years’ experience. A literacy dynamo, she is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) in CA. In 2011, Claudette created the CSMCL Día Grant with an African America Focus. Funded by CSMCL in partnership with the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC), the initiative rewards successful Día activities by libraries in communities across the country who engage in creative and innovative programming of multicultural literature about the African American experience for children and young adults. Outstanding winning libraries of this nationwide competition are awarded $500 in selected multicultural books.