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CHICAGO — Today, the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ (¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ) announced that Academy Award-nominated actor, producer, author, and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson will present at the . The conference will be held at the and surrounding hotels in San Diego, California, June 27-July 2, 2024.

joins ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Annual to discuss her new book, “You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!).” The debut picture book, illustrated by Paul Kellam, and available June 24, 2024, promotes mental wellness, learning socialization skills, embracing the importance of standing in your own uniqueness, and promoting friendship over bullying. It’s the perfect read for easing back-to-school jitters for the new school year, helping children (ages 4-8) overcome anxieties, and classroom/library story time and bedtime reading.

In 2018, Henson, and her best friend, Tracie Jade Jenkins, co-founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) honoring the legacy of Henson’s father, Boris Lawrence Henson, who battled untreated mental health issues after returning from the Vietnam War. Motivated by their own experiences and the glaring absence of culturally relevant mental health support, they took a bold step forward and established BLHF with a clear mission: to destigmatize mental health within the Black community and enhance accessibility. The foundation promotes mental health awareness and provides resources and services aimed at tackling the mental health crisis.

ALA Annual is open.

The 2024 ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Annual Conference & Exhibition invites library professionals from around the world to engage in a variety of professional development opportunities, including the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ President’s Program with ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ President Emily Drabinski; ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ division, chair, and round table sessions that will focus on the important topics and challenges that libraries face today; ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ leadership programs, ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Governance sessions, and more. The event will host 175+ education programs, 700+ speakers/authors, and 470+ exhibitors.

will feature exhibitors showcasing innovative products, services, and titles; publishers that will host established and new authors on nine live stages; “Meet the Authors” and the “Autographing Area” allowing opportunities for attendees to chat with authors and have books signed; e-zine and maker spaces for creative projects; the Podcast Recording Booth, where authors will record podcasts, free advanced reading copies of books, The Beach @ ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ, and additional fun activities.

The ALA JobLIST Placement and Career Development Center will offer career coaching, Mentoring on the Fly, an Open House and Job Fair, photography services, resume reviews, and career guidance workshops.

is the 2024 ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Annual host city and offers beautiful outdoor landscapes and weather, museums, restaurants, the San Diego Central Library, and other fun places to visit.

ALA Registrants are now able to build their personalized schedules in the . More sessions and activities will be added soon.

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Media interested in registering for the session may contact the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Communications and Marketing Office at cmomedia@ala.org.

About the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ
The ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ (¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit .