Katherine Locke will begin a term as president of the Authors Against Book Bans executive board, effective July 1. They succeed Maggie Tokuda-Hall, AABB's co-founder and the board's first president, who is concluding her term but will continue to serve as a board member. In addition, Shaneé Yvette Willis has joined the organization as program and operations manager.
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| Katherine Locke | |
Locke is an award-winning author of books for all ages, including This Rebel Heart, The Girl with the Red Balloon, and What Are Your Words? A Book About Pronouns, and is a co-editor and contributor to anthologies This Is Our Rainbow and Athlete Is Agender. They join AABB with more than 14 years of experience in the nonprofit world, including advocacy organizations, community service organizations, and professional associations.
"It is my honor and privilege to step into this role alongside the board members, regional leaders, volunteers, and members who are the strength of Authors Against Book Bans," Locke said. "Book bans threaten the freedom to read at a scale we can't ignore, including at the federal level in bills like HR 7661, HR 2616, and HR 8705. Building on two years of growth, strong leadership, and clear vision, I look forward to fighting alongside my fellow authors to defend the freedom to read everywhere it is threatened."
AABB board member and co-founder David Levithan commented: "Maggie's unwavering commitment to building and growing Authors Against Book Bans has engaged, inspired, and activated so many people, both within the book community and outside of it. AABB would not be such a powerful voice if not for her vision and dedication."
Tokuda-Hall added: "I am thrilled that AABB will be entering its next phase under the leadership of Katherine Locke. They have already proven to be an indispensable member of our board, and their steady hand and expertise will serve AABB well."
Willis's career in libraries and digital communities has included leading community engagement work at the Digital Public Library of America, supporting preservation and professional development initiatives at the HBCU Library Alliance, and stewarding community programs and working groups with the Digital Library Federation.
"We are thrilled that Shaneé has joined us to help write the next chapter of Authors Against Book Bans," Locke said. "We are excited to see the organization grow and expand under her thoughtful, experienced guidance."