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Thompson Family and Marcus Book Team Up with Ile Omode
 Friday, February 12, 2021 
The Thompson Family Foundation, one of whose members is Klay Thompson of the San Francisco Warriors, has entered a collaboration with Ile Omode to support an iconic and historically relevant business establishment in our Oakland community, namely; Marcus Books.
To support literacy and help maintain the presence of this important establishment during these difficult times, the Thompson Family Foundation is sponsoring a unique book club starting this month. For the next several months, Marcus Books in collaboration with Ile Omode teachers, will select a “Book of the Month” by grade, for purchase by Ile Omode families. Thanks to the foundation, Ile Omode families will receive a substantial discount for each selected book purchased.
With the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately hampering Black businesses success, the Thompson Family Foundation wanted to assist Black businesses, and Baba Jahi suggested the collaboration with Marcus Books. Founded in 1960, Marcus Books is one of the few remaining Black-owned bookstores in the country, which saw a decline of 83% from 1999 to 2014 among these stores. The store was named in honor of Marcus Garvey, and it has hosted hundreds of events featuring national and international luminaries.
The mission of the Thompson Family Foundation is to enrich the lives of youth through fitness and education. The Thompson Family Foundation hopes to assist in educating the next generation about Black people and the richness they contributed to our world civilization. While Black history and Black education has become a recent trend, both Marcus Books and Ile Omode have pioneered the education of black history. The Thompson Family Foundation aims to inspire Black youth to become more than just athletes. “Black people contribute to society through more than athletics, but it's not always as visible to the world as a basketball game on TV”, says Seth Tarver, the Foundation's director of programs and partnerships.
Offering a book of the month club through Marcus Books will enhance literacy development, foster imaginative escapes, and strengthen core language skills. The program is expected to support nearly 100 students each month.
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