Readers Group Cheryl Zach, author Paul O. Zelinsky, illustrator Activities The SCBWI sponsors two annual International Conferences on Writing and Illustrating for Children each year, the Summer Conference held in Los Angeles, and the Winter Conference held in New York City. In addition, regional chapters around the world host dozens of smaller conferences throughout the year, ranging from events geared toward professional writers and/or illustrators to events for people just entering the field. Events such as book clubs, book launch parties, book signings, critique groups, gallery shows, KidLit nights, open studio tours, sketch crawls, writer/illustrator retreats, and more occur around the world. Each of the approximately 80 regions is led by a volunteer Regional Advisor (RA) or two co-RAs. Larger regions may also have Assistant RAs and Illustrator Coordinators as well as an advisory committee. Diversity Initiatives and Reorganization Coming under scrutiny during the "Me Too" movement, SCBWI had some shakeups in leadership positions. On June 3rd, 2020 SCBWI Executive Director, Lin Oliver, announced that April Powers has joined the organization as its inaugural Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer. On June 10th, 2021 SCBWI released a statement against anti-semintism as a response to the growing violence against Jews worldwide and the tension between Palestine and Israel. There was a call for a similar statement to be made denouncing Islamaphobia and April Powers declined to release a statement. Powers subsequently stepped down voluntarily on June 27th. In July, 2021 an open letter to the organizations leadership came out released by people in the children's book community that put focus on SCBWI's organizational structure, finances, and diversity efforts. This letter was published July 12th and garnered more than 900 signatures. Many prominent authors associated with SCBWI including Laurie Halse Anderson, Meg Medina, and Linda Sue Park stepped down from their advisory board and the entire Rocky Mountain Chapter regional team resigned. There were death threats online that followed directed towards SCBWI leadership. On August 4th, 2021 the board of advisors authorized an outside company to do an audit to find ways to reorganize and expand SCBWI. See also List of children's classic books List of children's literature authors List of children's non-fiction writers List of fairy tales List of illustrators List of publishers of children's books List of translators of children's books References External links American writers' organizations Children's literature organizations Writers' conferences International professional associations Charities based in California Arts organizations