The initial concept of "Library for Africa" started when Veleta Jenkins (a former Dayton Job Corps teacher) and her students helped to establish a small library on the Dayton Job Corps campus. When Ms. Jenkins asked Darius Ricks (her student at the time) to throw boxes of books in the dumpster, Darius asked if he could have the boxes of books. After Ms. Jenkins told Darius that no one would want the old books, Darius explained Liberia’s educational predicament and said the Ardju Preparatory and Daycare Center (Monrovia, Liberia) would be grateful to have the books. After hearing Darius’ story, Ms. Jenkins the Job Corps administration, her colleagues, students, and the community to support a book drive. Money was raised and 1,738 books were shipped to the Ardju Preparatory & Daycare Center. But it did not stop there. Shortly after Darius graduated from Dayton Job Corps, he and Ms. Jenkins founded Library for Africa. The non-profit organization provide educational services and resources to youth in Dayton, Ohio and Liberia, Africa.