An Unforgettable Evening: Djamila Ribeiro Honored at Gathering with São Paulo Public School Students

Last Thursday, July 16, Biblioteca Paulo Duarte (Paulo Duarte Library), located inside the Centro de Culturas Negras Mãe Sylvia de Oxalá (Mãe Sylvia de Oxalá Center for Black Cultures) in São Paulo’s Jabaquara district, welcomed Djamila Ribeiro for an evening of conversation about books, education, and intellectual reflection. Organized by the city’s municipal library system, the event brought together public school teachers and students who are studying the philosopher’s work as part of their primary and secondary education.

“The event was open to the general public, and the Carolina Maria de Jesus Auditorium reached full capacity with a predominantly Black audience,” Djamila wrote on social media.

The gathering was part of Entre.Pontos, a dialogue-based initiative connecting municipal libraries and schools. The program was created to bring students closer to the authors whose works are included in their curricula.

An Academy Named After the Author

A central part of the evening was led by students from Escola Municipal Dirce Genésio dos Santos (Dirce Genésio dos Santos Municipal School), located in Jardim Iguatemi. Through the work of teachers Ana Flora Pinheiro, Paloma Lacerda, and Sarah Santos, the school created the Academia Estudantil de Letras Djamila Ribeiro (Djamila Ribeiro Student Academy of Letters). The initiative encourages reading, writing, and artistic performances, while also presenting student-created work at institutions across the city.

The students presented research projects on the Brazilian philosopher’s life and intellectual journey. They also formally inducted her as an honorary member of the AEL Djamila Ribeiro, presenting her with a medal and a collection documenting the school’s activities.

“Seeing the reach and impact of my work moves me deeply. Knowing that Black students from underserved communities are being educated with my work as a foundation will always be my greatest recognition. A special mention goes to the student who represents me in the Academy—our 13-year-old ‘little Djamila’—who read a poem she wrote in my honor. A true prodigy!” Djamila wrote.