88 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2021
OBITUARY
BERNETTE FORD
GROUNDBREAKING AUTHOR
BY BRIANA BONFIGLIO
Bernette Ford, a force in children’s
publishing who grew up on Long
Island and brought diversity to
picture books, died of cancer on
June 20 at her home in Brooklyn.
She was 70.
The publishing executive and
author was a champion of hiring
more writers and illustrators
of color and having racial minorities
represented within the
pages of picture books for young
readers. She notably launched
Scholastic’s Cartwheel imprint
in 1991 and was among the first
Black executives of a major children’s
book publisher.
“Bernette was a pioneer in building
out the young novelty category
with bright, engaging, and
wonderful books,” Ellie Berger,
president of trade publishing at
Scholastic, wrote in a tribute to
Ford. “I have particularly fond
memories of watching her in
Bologna, as she inspired
young packagers and
connected with talented
creators from around
the world. Bernette will
be missed, but she leaves
an indelible mark on
children’s books and the
readers who love them.”
Ford grew up in Uniondale.
According to a 2010
interview with The Brown
Bookshelf, Ford said she
spent her childhood finding
comfort in reading
and taught herself to read
before kindergarten. By
college, she knew she wanted
to be a writer.
She graduated from Connecticut
College in 1972
and began her career as
an editorial assistant at
Random House, where
she eventually rose to
editorial director of the
children’s book imprint,
Golden Books. She then worked at
Grosset & Dunlap, and at Scholastic
beginning in 1989, according to Publishers
Weekly.
By the ’90s she began publishing her
own books with various other publishers.
She cowrote the acclaimed picture
book Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, which
featured images of four Black children
living their everyday lives, a rare concept
for a children’s book at the time. It
was published in 1990 and illustrated by
Ford’s husband, George.
Some of Ford’s other titles include First
Snow, Hurry Up! and Don’t Hit Me!
In 2003, a year after leaving Scholastic,
Ford launched her own company,
Color-Bridge Books. She will have a
new children’s book, Uncle John’s City
Garden, to be released posthumously in
2022.
In addition to her husband, Ford is
survived by her daughter Olivia, sister
Elizabeth Yarboro, brother Russell, and
a granddaughter.
Bernette Ford. (Courtesy Boxer Books)
New York’s ‘Leaders of Labor’
to be celebrated in September
The most powerful advocates for New York’s workers will be honored in a
special way during the “Leaders of Labor” event hosted by Schneps Media this
September.
Sponsored by NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery, the celebration honoring
members of the labor community and the organizations that support them will be
held in person and virtually on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Terrace on the Park in
Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Schneps Media is currently accepting nominations from the public for
special honorees at the event. “Leaders of Labor” is a way to recognize the most
influential individuals supporting some of the hardest working men and women in
our city.
Their leadership has never been more important, as union essential workers
helped keep the city running during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when
most of the Five Boroughs shut down and stayed home as the deadly virus
raged.
The event will pay homage to union presidents, business managers and
union board members whose stewardship has served to improve the lives and
livelihoods of the men and women they represent.
Prominent leaders in the health care, political, education, transit, law
enforcement, emergency services, construction, building management and legal
communities who work closely with organized labor in New York will also be
honored at the “Leaders of Labor” event.
Past events have brought together these leaders with some of the most
influential elected officials in the city, such as Brooklyn Borough President and
current mayoral candidate Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.,
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens District Attorney Melinda
Katz, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, state Senator Diane Savino and more.
In addition to being recognized at the “Leaders of Labor” event, the honorees
will receive a trophy and an entry in the event journal. They’ll also have the
opportunity to connect with other leaders and tell their stories during the special
VIP hour immediately preceding the event.
Schneps Media, powered by amNewYork Metro, the Queens Courier, the
Brooklyn Courier, the Bronx Times and the Long Island Press, is looking to our
community for nominations of those deserving acknowledgement for their
dedication and commitment. Please email your nominations to
DMattone@SchnepsMedia.com or call 917-272-4213.
link
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
link
