Best Selling Author Brings Critically Acclaimed Book to Early Learning Center

February 20, 2025

Winsome Bingham Shares "The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)"

Story time in the Early Learning Center is a regular occurrence, but story time with a “New York Times” best selling author is a special treat!


On February 19, just in time for Black History Month, award-winning author Winsome Bingham shared her critically acclaimed book, “The Walk (A Stroll to the Poll)” with the members of our Early Learning Center at the Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill. 


The picture book, which has numerous starred reviews and was shortlisted for the Jane Addams Peace Award, tells the story of a granddaughter and grandmother taking one of the most important walks together. They travel through their community on the way to cast a vote on Election Day. The story highlights the importance of participating in the democratic process and how voting joins the community together, allowing all to speak up, stand up and say what is on their minds. 


Bingham read the story to a captivated audience, or as captivated as preschoolers can be, and encouraged members to explore the pictures illustrated by E.B. Lewis. They discussed how the stroll to the poll took “Granny” and granddaughter through various locations in the community kids are familiar with, including the barber shop and church, and how the pair were able to use their community connections and relationships to encourage others to vote, giving hope to the neighborhood. 


Bingham is an award-winning author. Her 2021 book “Soul Food Sunday” was named a “New York Times” Best Book of the Year and won the Connecticut Book Award. 


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At the age of seven, Armando’s family moved to Hartford’s Southend, and his neighbor (a fellow club Alumnus) invited him to visit the Southwest Club. Armando instantly fell in love with the club and its variety of fun and educational activities. Armando took full advantage of club programs such as Power Hour, which helps Club members with their homework and participated in Money Matters, where he learned about money management and even opened his first bank account. Armando was active in the Keystone Club, a teen-leadership program that allowed him to “get out and explore.” Through the Keystone Club, Armando worked on community service projects, which taught him how to be a team player and illustrated the importance of giving back. He had the opportunity to visit colleges, travel to new areas of the country and gain confidence in the college application process. As a result of his hard work and the skills learned at the Boys & Girls Club, Armando became a Travelers EDGE Scholar and earned his Bachelors of Science in Management Entrepreneurship from the University of Connecticut ’13. After graduation, he relocated to Washington, D.C. to begin his career as a consultant for the United States Marine Corps. In 2015, Armando transitioned into business development and partnership success at Management Leadership for Tomorrow, an organization focused on the professional development of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native American rising leaders. Armando recently started a new career as Associate Director of Employer Partnerships at the Yale School of Management. Armando walked into the Boys & Girls Club looking to make new friends and have fun. He ended up learning valuable life and leadership skills that have helped him become the person he is today. According to Armando: “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford will forever be one of the elements that make me, who I am. Every donation to these Clubs and their programs are making futures brighter for our young people.” 
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