Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Bhandari.
Hi Rita, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As someone born to a South Asian father and a French-Canadian mother, questions around origin, ethnicity, race, and identity have influenced me to write The Ace Compeers series, which is an educational children’s book series about race and racism. The character Anita is actually based on my experiences and the questions I had surrounding race as a biracial person growing up in North America. My upbringing and identity have deeply shaped who I am today, and I feel that my unique perspective has sparked a lifelong curiosity about the world and the people in it. It has also given me clarity about my core values and what impact I want to have in the world.
Throughout my life, I have experienced a range of perceptions around my “race”, from everyday microaggressions to blatant racism. People frequently asked me questions like “what are you” or “where are you from”, and I even remember being told to “go back to your country” on the streets of Toronto while wearing an Indian outfit after a wedding (even though this IS my country). One particularly painful memory was when a child threw rocks at me in elementary school while yelling out racial slurs.
These experiences have inspired me to become a teacher and advocate for equity and inclusion in the classroom. I earned a Diversity and Inclusion certificate from Cornell University, three certificates from the Equity Literacy Institute, and an Antiracism certificate from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. I also became the equity lead at my school and presented at staff meetings and Professional Development days to educate my colleagues. Additionally, I joined a group at the school board level called “Leading Change” which aims to develop and align antiracism leadership competencies. Finally, my background and experiences have motivated me to become a children’s book author of a series that I feel will be of great value to my readers because these books will answer questions that otherwise might not have been answered.
Ultimately, I want others to recognize that it’s important to understand that it is not race that divides us, but rather our interpretations of race. I believe that children need to understand where our ideas about race come from, how they developed over time, and how they impact us today. With this knowledge, we can work to prevent these false interpretations from recurring.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I am proud of the success and positive reception of my book series, it has definitely not been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles was finding a way to effectively market and promote the books to my target audience. As a first-time author, I quickly realized that writing the books was just the beginning of the journey. I needed to make sure that people actually knew about them.
Another challenge was finding a way to approach the topic of race and diversity in a way that was both educational and engaging for children. I spent a lot of time researching to ensure that the content of my books was accurate, informative, and age-appropriate.
Additionally, I had to navigate the often-complicated world of book distribution and sales. I had to learn about various platforms and tools for self-promotion.
However, despite these challenges, I remained determined to share my message of inclusivity and equity with as many children as possible. I continued to refine my marketing and promotion strategies, seeking out partnerships with organizations and individuals who shared my values and mission.
Overall, while the journey has not been easy, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact that my books have had on young readers and educators. It has been an honor to be able to contribute to the ongoing conversation about race and diversity, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference through my writing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a passionate teacher and published author with over 12 years of experience in promoting inclusive and interactive learning. My book series, “The Ace Compeers”, has been well received by both parents and educators alike and has won multiple awards for its unique approach to teaching children about race.
As an educator, I aim to create safe and inclusive learning environments that foster curiosity and critical thinking. I hold three certificates from the Equity Literacy Institute and have completed antiracism and Diversity and Inclusion programs from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Cornell University.
What I am most proud of is the impact “The Ace Compeers” has had in promoting positive conversations around race and diversity. The book series provides parents, guardians, and educators with a comfortable and effective platform to launch discussions, explore important topics, and spark curiosity in children.
What sets me apart from others is my unique biracial identity as a French Canadian and South Asian, which has inspired me to become an advocate for equity and inclusion. My personal experiences have influenced the character “Anita” in “The Ace Compeers”, and I feel that my unique perspective and skills have allowed me to create a truly special book series.
Overall, I am deeply committed to promoting equity, inclusivity, and critical thinking through my work as an educator and author, and I am excited to continue sharing my passion with others through “The Ace Compeers”.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
One quality or characteristic that is often important to success is perseverance. Success in any field, including writing and education, often requires facing challenges and setbacks. Having the determination to keep going despite difficulties and obstacles can help individuals, like myself, achieve their goals and overcome barriers that might otherwise prevent them from succeeding. Additionally, having a growth mindset and being willing to learn from mistakes and failures is also important for success. The ability to adapt to change and be flexible in one’s thinking and approach are valuable traits in achieving success and I am trying my best to have this mindset and persevere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://acecompeers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acecompeers/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Ace-Compeers/100073027567116/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-bhandari/?original_referer=
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/acecompeers?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNa2_P4oM_k
