My name is Dr. Michael Bitz. I am the founder of the Comic Book Project (www.comicbookproject.org), where I help young people write, design, and publish original comic books as a pathway to literacy and creativity. This program began over twelve years ago with a middle school class in New York City, where I live.

Since then, the Comic Book Project has reached over 100,000 youths across the US and now around the world. I leave on Oct 12 for Nigeria, at the invitation of the Reading Association of Nigeria and the Ford Foundation's Institute of International Education. I will be working with teachers and students in Nsukka and Owerri to help build creative pathways to literacy through the Comic Book Project.

Being that this is my first trip to Africa, I am very excited for what I know will be an incredible journey. Mostly I look forward to meeting and learning about new friends and colleagues in Nigeria. I will be sharing my reflections and experiences in this blog. Many thanks to Wandering Educators for the opportunity! Also, thank you to Lisa Niver Rajna from the travel blog WeSaidGoTravel for making the introduction. Well, I better get packing...

October 13, 2013: I made it!

October 14, 2013: A Good Start in Nsukka

October 15, 2013: The Workshops Continue

October 16, 2013: These Teachers are Great!

October 17, 2013: A Successful Conference

October 18, 2013: Last Day in Nsukka

October 21, 2013: Owerri, Here We Come

October 22, 2013: Good Work in Owerri

October 25, 2013: Goodbye, Nigeria...For Now