by Nicola Orichuia

Dear readers, Life has a funny and mysterious way of taking us by the hand and pulling us towards projects we never dreamed of until recently. That is how I feel right now, as I announce this big step forward in our goal to give the local Italian and Italian American communities a voice and identity they can be proud of.

For several months, with the help of many people encountered through the years as editor of bostoniano.info and Bostoniano magazine, I have been working on creating I Am Books — a real, physical space that can bring the community together and offer authors and artists a place to meet and exchange ideas. What better place than a bookstore, right in the heart of the North End, Boston's iconic Italian neighborhood?

I Am Books will quickly become an Italian American cultural hub, a place where people will be able to dig deep into their Italian heritage and roots, or even just browse through books, gifts or toys (yes, we will have a children's section!).

We have already accomplished a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, but now we need your help to complete the mission.

Today we have launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to provide the necessary funds to get off the ground. More information about the project, as well as a short video showing you the space, is available here: iambooksboston.com.

Please consider donating to our campaign, and please spread the word to family and friends on Facebook and other social media.

Let's make the country notice what Boston Italian Americans are capable of. Let's make this common dream come true!

Grazie mille! Thank you so much!

Nicola Orichuia

Fonte: Bostoniano