Ohlone College proudly announces the launch of Ban Voyage: The Ohlone College Banned Book Project, a powerful and innovative initiative that has culminated in the creation of a one-of-a-kind children’s book. Led by Dr. August “Auggie” Hu Samie, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, and Nnekay FitzClarke, Public Services Librarian, the project brought together Ohlone College students to address censorship, creativity and the importance of free expression. The inaugural volume is now housed in the Ohlone College Library, offering students, staff and the community a tangible representation of academic excellence, storytelling and advocacy.
The Ban Voyage project was born in Dr. Samie’s Ethnic Studies course, where students explored the historical and contemporary realities of book banning in the United States. Through collaborative presentations and discussions, students were tasked with creating original children’s stories that could, in theory, be subject to banning. Thanks to funding from the Lytton Center for History and the Public Good and the Ethnic Studies Department, this year’s student submissions were physically bound, creating the first volume of what will become an annual tradition.
Dr. August “Auggie” Hu Samie, the visionary behind this project, emphasized the importance of empowering students to use their voices, “The Ban Voyage project is about reclaiming narratives and shining a light on stories that challenge systems of censorship and silence. Our students showed courage, creativity and compassion in crafting these books. This project gives them a sense of authorship, not just on paper, but in their lives and communities.”
Nnekay FitzClarke, Public Services Librarian and a key collaborator, reflected on the project’s impact and its promise for future generations, “It has been an honor to support Auggie and the students in this important work. Seeing their stories come to life in print, and knowing they are preserved in the Ohlone College Library, is incredibly rewarding. This project plants seeds of creativity and critical thought that will grow with each new class.”
The project not only produced a beautiful, tangible work of literature but also created a platform for students to explore pressing social issues through storytelling. Students who contributed to the volume are officially cataloged as authors in the Ohlone Library system, ensuring their voices and work will be recognized for generations to come.
Ohlone College President/Superintendent Charles Sasaki applauded the hard work and innovation of faculty and students in fostering bright futures through such projects, “Starting bright futures begins with creating opportunities for exploration and empowerment. Ban Voyage is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, Dr. August Samie and Nnekay FitzClarke, who inspire students to write, imagine and speak boldly. This children’s book is more than a project—it is an invitation to future readers and creators to think critically and compassionately about the world around them.”
The Ban Voyage inaugural volume is now available for viewing at the Ohlone College Library. Plans are already in motion to continue the tradition, ensuring a growing collection of student-created volumes in the years to come.
For more information about Ban Voyage: The Ohlone College Banned Book Project or to explore the collection, visit the Ohlone College Library or contact the Ethnic Studies Department at ohlone.edu/ethnic
