DURHAM, N.C. — Durham minister Paul Scott is giving out free books on Black culture and history to everyone he meets. He calls it the "Gifted Greatness Challenge."

"Black culture, it’s under attack. So with Gifted Greatness, we're taking matters into our own hands," Scott said. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Minister Paul Scott started the " Gifted Greatness Challenge"

  •  He encourages everyone to give out books on Black history and culture

  •  Scott points to Tyre Nichols' death and recent block of a pilot AP African American history course in Florida as an impetus for the challenge

Scott already runs the free bookstore in Durham called the Bull City Griot, but this challenge takes his outreach even further. It's something he hopes people across the country will take part in. 

"The Gifted Greatness Challenge is to encourage people to accept a challenge, to give out Black cultural books wherever they are, whether it be the grocery store, the laundromat, the barbershop, wherever you are, pass out Black history books," Scott said. 

Scott says he hopes this Black History Month will inspire people in the community to educate one another. 

"Let's be proactive and develop a system where we teach Black history ourselves. Instead, every young Black person in Durham will have a Black history book put in their hand. Sometime in the next 28 days. And we can do it," Scott said.