openentrance – What's Really Going OnWhat's Really Going On

Rapper Common  is using his Common Ground Foundation to promote The Corner, an online group which aims to encourage teens to discuss literature.  The Corner, provides an interactive way for students, ages 13-18, to learn about and discuss relevant reading materials.  Teens are able to follow along with the recommended book of the month, blog with other members about relevant topics and have the opportunity to participate in a live online chat with Common Ground Foundation staff.

The Grammy award winner, who stars alongside Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman in upcoming movie Wanted, has a side project writing children’s books and is currently the face of the American Library Association (ALA) READ Campaign.  He says, “I started the Common Ground Foundation because I wanted to help.  Most of all help people to help themselves.”

The Corner will also feature monthly interviews with celebrity artists who will reveal their favorite books and why reading is so important to them. Click here to see a recent interview with Talib Kweli.