Minnesota author and entrepreneur Crystal L. Stein captivated young readers and families at the Red Balloon Bookstore in St. Paul on March 22 with a unique multisensory storytelling event. The session featured readings from her “Echoes of Excellence” collection, which highlights historically overlooked composers and artists of color such as Florence Price, George Bridgetower, and Winifred Atwell.
Stein’s innovative approach to literary engagement incorporates music, Braille, and interactive elements, ensuring accessibility and enjoyability for all children, including those who are blind or visually impaired.
Braille, a tactile writing system commonly used by people who are blind or visually impaired, was developed in the early 19th century by Louis Braille, a French educator who lost his sight as a child. The system consists of raised dots arranged in patterns that correspond to letters and numbers, allowing readers to interpret text through touch.
Today, Braille remains a crucial tool for literacy and independence among visually impaired individuals worldwide, making its integration into children’s literature an important step toward inclusive storytelling.
“Do you have a background in music?” said a mother in the crowd, holding her toddler on her lap.
“No, my background is in finance,” giggled Stein, noting that her background in music goes as far as the “grammy showers.” A mother of two, Stein says her transition from a lucrative 16-year career in financial technology to founding Beret Publishing was driven by a profound sense of purpose that surfaced around the time George Floyd was murdered.
Asked about her thoughts around taking that risk, she explained during the event, “I don’t have any fears because I feel like it’s a calling at this point. I feel grateful to be able to tell their stories… I feel like I’m behind, like I should have done this a long time ago.”
Stein’s career shift mirrors a broader trend among Black women in the United States. According to a J.P. Morgan report, 17% of Black women are in the process of starting a new business, compared to 10% of white women and 15% of white men. Motivations include pursuing a passion and creating new income sources. Additionally, Forbes notes a 70% increase in businesses owned by Afro-descendant women in the U.S. over the past four years.
Stein’s dedication to representation aligns with evolving trends in children’s literature. The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) reported that in 2022, 13% of children’s books had at least one Black creator, and 40% had a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) creator. This marks a significant increase from previous years, reflecting a growing demand for diverse narratives.
However, challenges remain. A study highlighted by “Medium” revealed that in 2017, only 4% of children’s books featured a Black main character, indicating that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure equitable representation in children’s literature.
“Most people have heard of Beethoven,” said Stein, “but how many have heard of George Bridgetower? His legacy deserves recognition, amongst others, and I’m happy to share it.”
Bridgetower was a biracial violin prodigy of African and European descent. He was born in 1778 and became well known across Europe for his virtuosity. Beethoven was so impressed with Bridgetower’s playing that he composed a violin sonata specifically for him — what is now known as the “Kreutzer Sonata” (Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47).
Originally, Beethoven dedicated the piece to Bridgetower, and the two even performed it together in 1803, with Bridgetower sight-reading the difficult violin part. However, after a personal dispute, Beethoven later changed the dedication to another violinist, Rodolphe Kreutzer, who ironically never played the piece and considered it too difficult.
Despite the erasure of Bridgetower’s name from the sonata, his influence remains a significant historical example of the contributions of Black musicians to classical music.
When it comes to Stein’s books, each subject is illustrated in a way whereby Black children can feel reflected, no matter the gender, utilizing the stories of underrepresented heritage in an educational and creatively inspirational way.
Looking ahead, Stein plans to expand Beret Publishing’s offerings. “Next year, I’ll actually be all set up to put on other authors as well, which I’m very excited about,” she shared. Future projects include a new collection spotlighting other individuals deserving recognition, cartoons to engage children through visual storytelling, and Beret Music, a repository of significant compositions to educate and inspire young audiences.
Stein emphasizes the importance of focus on our “calling” amidst societal challenges. “We need to observe, not absorb,” she advised. “Even in the climate that we’re in right now…what matters is that we have work to do. So that’s the focus, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”
Families and educators interested in exploring Stein’s work can find more information on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or at www.beret publishing.com.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.