The Literacy Lab

The Leading Men Fellowship ascended the nation’s capital from August 11th to August 17th, and it was an unforgettable experience! Throughout the week, the Fellows received comprehensive training designed to equip them with the tools and support necessary to provide evidence-based literacy assistance to pre-kindergarten students. The Fellows participated in various Community Impact Workshops focused on Trauma-Informed Practices and the SEEDS approach (Sensitivity, Encouragement, Education, Development of Skills, and Self-Image), which are crucial for helping children develop the literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten.

Following their training, the Fellows enjoyed culturally enriching and fun excursions, including visits to the National Museum of African American History () and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. These experiences created lasting memories for the Leading Men Fellowship 2024-2025 cohort. We are excited to continue supporting their greatness and growth!

Lauren Smith Ford interviews author and mother Maya Smart (Maya Smart Reports) about child literacy, deep reading, and the freedom found in books. Smart, who holds a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s in social studies from Harvard University, is affiliated faculty in Educational Policy and Leadership at Marquette University’s College of Education. In her book "Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six", Smart empowers parents to be their children’s first and most influential teachers.

Reflecting on her commitment to helping parents raise fluent readers, Smart shares:

"My passion for helping parents raise readers began when my daughter was very young. I’d read heartbreaking articles about reading disparities between Black and white children, Hispanic and white children, and children from lower-income versus higher-income households. I knew these gaps reflected average reading performance among the groups — not some inherent difference in children’s capacity to succeed."

The Literacy Lab would like to thank Maya Smart and others like her that are working hard to close the literacy gap!

Interview: https://tinyurl.com/57wrtyxy

"Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six":
https://tinyurl.com/5eu2wvny

We're at the halfway point of our Ascend Training Institute 2024 for our Leading Men Fellows! In addition to our keynote speaker, Oliver James, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on our LMF Trailblazers. These honorees have laid the groundwork for the Leading Men Fellowship, helping shape it into the impactful program it is today.

Leading Men Fellows are young men of color who have recently graduated from high school. They embark on a year-long, residency-style experience where they provide evidence-based literacy support to pre-kindergarten students. Throughout this journey, they receive robust coaching, professional development, and valuable hands-on experience.

The Literacy Lab deeply appreciates the dedication of these dynamic individuals and the time they are investing to help close the literacy gap across the U.S.

A big thank you to Marlena Lang and WCPO 9 for shining a spotlight on our Leading Men Fellowship! Now in its third year in Cincinnati, the fellowship kicked off training last week and is currently continuing in Washington, D.C. This two-week program equips 18 to 24 year-old men of color with the skills and curriculum needed to teach children reading comprehension.

According to a 2023 report from Policy Matters Ohio, 95% of child care professionals in Ohio are women. The Leading Men Fellowship aims to change that by creating a pathway for more men of color to become educators in the state, so more kids can see someone who looks like them at the front of the classroom.

We are excited for the 2024-2025 academic year and the impact the Leading Men Fellowship will have—not only on the children but also on our fellows.

Video: https://tinyurl.com/4xxtfxu2

What began as a virtual book club for Black men in St. Louis at the start of the pandemic has since evolved into a vital organization dedicated to addressing the youth literacy crisis in the city. Black Men Read was founded by Keyon Watkins in 2020, with a group of about 15 friends meeting virtually to discuss books. However, after a family tragedy in 2022, Watkins was inspired to do more. The death of his brother, whose life was profoundly affected by his inability to read, motivated Watkins to expand Black Men Read.

“My older brother was very intelligent,” Watkins shared. “However, he couldn’t read. When you can’t read, your options in life are limited. What could the trajectory of his life have been if he knew how to read?”

As of 2021, only 11% of Black K-12 public school students in St. Louis were proficient in reading, compared to 55% of their white peers. St. Louis has struggled for years to improve reading proficiency among its students, but Black Men Read is working to change that. In 2022, the organization began volunteering with Head Start programs to read to preschoolers and later expanded to Barack Obama Elementary School for the second half of the 2023-24 school year.

Black Men Read’s literacy efforts are supported by Coalition With STL Kids (), an organization committed to “highlighting the racist educational status quo” and holding the local school board accountable for what it views as low expectations for Black students. The work done by Black Men Read and Coalition With STL Kids is crucial to closing the literacy gap among marginalized groups, and their dedication is deeply appreciated.

Black Men Read: https://hubs.li/Q02KYswQ0

Source: The 74 Million https://tinyurl.com/ym7v3fkk

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Salem and Progressive Baptist Churches in Chicago have brought back their successful Black Boy Literacy (https://hubs.li/Q02KN7nq0) program for a second year!

Originally a pilot, this summer camp has quickly become a model for other Black churches nationwide, aiming to improve literacy rates among young Black boys.

Led by Pastor Charlie Dates, the visionary behind this 6 week camp, the program is a powerful investment in the future of our youth, preparing them for the upcoming school year and beyond.

View the segment on Black Boy Literacy with ABC 7 Chicago here: https://tinyurl.com/47j9r5s6

The countdown is on—just TWO days until ! Our Leading Men Fellows are gearing up for the 2024 Ascend Institute, where they'll embark on a year-long residency, delivering evidence-based literacy support to students.

Now is the perfect time to show your support! Visit our online store and grab some merch—whether it's joggers, hoodies, t-shirts, or mugs, there's something for everyone!

LMF Online Store: https://tinyurl.com/3965xmbr

"Classroom Case Study: Maximizing the Impact of Curriculum Mandates with the Science of Reading" is the second installment of a three-part series spotlighting Gary Willow, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Washington County Public Schools in Hagerstown. Discover how Willow and his team have successfully implemented a high-quality literacy curriculum in response to the Maryland Board of Education’s mandate for evidence-based literacy instruction by the 2024-25 school year. Learn how they combined community support and expertise to drive success.

Click here to dive into the full story! https://tinyurl.com/ck49zxj5

Source: The 74

Our Leading Men Fellowship creates opportunities for young men of color and increases representation in the field of education. Leading Men Fellows are young men of color who have recently graduated from high school and participate in a year-long, residency-style experience in which they provide evidence-based literacy support to pre-kindergarten students while receiving robust coaching and professional development and gaining valuable experience.

On August 11th, The Literacy Lab will welcome our 2024-2025 Leading Men Fellowship cohort at the Ascend Training Institute and we are excited about the positive impact they will have for students across the country!

Learn more about the Leading Men Fellowship here: https://hubs.li/Q02JXsv50

National Sisters Day, celebrated on the first Sunday in August, honors the unique bond between sisters. These siblings embrace moments that make them laugh and cringe. While they don’t always agree, sisters always have each other’s backs.

To celebrate this special holiday, check out our curated selection of books:

📖 "The Land of Forgotten Girls”: A heartwarming tale of Soledad and Ming as they move from the Philippines to the United States after their mother’s death. This story demonstrates how sisterhood can support girls through difficult times.

📖 “The Superpower Sisterhood”*: Follow Emma and the two sets of sisters who move to her street. The girls become fast friends and quickly realize that by combining their special talents, they can achieve far more than they ever thought possible.

📖 “Growing up with Tamales”*: This bilingual story offers a funny and loving perspective on life as the little sister. Six-year-old Ana loves helping her family make tamales for Christmas every year, but she feels she’ll never catch up with her older sister Lidia’s skills.

📖 “Gone Crazy in Alabama”: Join sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern as they visit their grandmother, Big Ma, and her mother, Ma Charles. This rich, heartfelt story about family, love, and loyalty reveals an old family secret, showing that family bonds can see you through just about anything.

📆 ONLY 6 days left until the Leading Men Fellowship Ascend Training Institute 2024! Young men ages 18-24 from different regions throughout the country will be traveling to Baltimore, Maryland, to receive the tools and support needed to provide evidence-based literacy assistance to pre-kindergarten students, helping to close the literacy gap in early childhood education.

The Literacy Lab is thrilled to welcome the new cohort of Leading Men Fellows as they "answer the call" to help close the literacy gap in underserved and marginalized communities!

🎉 The countdown begins! Only 10 days left until the Leading Men Fellowship's Ascend Training Institute 2024! 🎉

Our Leading Men Fellowship embodies The Literacy Lab's core values:

◼️ Equity through Impact and Impact through Equity
◼️ People First
◼️ Lifelong Learning
◼️ Both/And Mindset
◼️ Intentional Resource Stewardship

On August 11th, we will welcome our 2024-2025 Leading Men Fellowship cohort at the Ascend Training Institute in Washington, D.C. We are excited about the positive impact they will have on students across the country!

Learn more about our Leading Men Fellowship here: https://hubs.li/Q02JKW2l0

For decades, debates over the best way to teach reading have divided teachers, scholars, and policymakers. Was the answer phonics or “whole language”? What about “balanced literacy” versus “structured literacy”? Terms like “phonemic awareness” and “foundational skills” entered the vocabulary but didn’t settle the debate.

In recent years, the science of reading, a method based on research on how the human brain works, has emerged. It centers around a five-pronged approach: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Like many school districts nationwide, Philadelphia is adopting the science of reading as part of a $70 million investment in updated instructional materials for ELA, math, and science. For the past several years, Philadelphia has adhered to a curriculum created in-house by teachers. The district’s Deputy Chief of Teaching and Learning, Meredith Mehra, believes that adopting the science of reading will provide more continuity for teachers and students. Mehra states, “A lot more resources are embedded that will take the pressure away from teachers to create them,” allowing them to focus more on the students.

Chalkbeat Philadelphia: https://tinyurl.com/35ah3jx6

📚✨ The Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation is bringing the BGBB Kid’s Red Carpet Book Tour and Literacy Festival to Fayetteville, NC on August 3rd! Join them for a day of fun-filled activities, including author readings, STEM activities, kid-friendly red carpet interviews, and much more! This event, powered by Chosen Pen Publishing, is FREE and open to everyone. Don't miss out if you're in the Fayetteville area! Follow the Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation for more updates and information.

📸 credit: The Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation

Novelist, essayist, intellectual, and activist James Baldwin (1924-1987) remains one of the most influential voices of our time. Amiri Baraka’s eulogy, "Jimmy!", described Baldwin as “not only a writer, international literary figure” but also as a “man, spirit, voice” and “God’s black revolutionary mouth,” reflecting Baldwin’s legacy of radical truth-telling.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library houses Baldwin’s archive and to celebrate his 100th birthday, they will present selections from the James Baldwin Papers, showcasing his literary career and legacy from childhood to death, along with items from other collections that highlight Baldwin's passion, brilliance, and courageous spirit.

Celebrate the legacy of James Baldwin by checking out our curated lists of children's books and by joining NYPL on Friday, August 2nd for the Exhibition Opening Reception & Program at the Schomburg Center in Harlem: https://tinyurl.com/fvfynxru

“Dear You, Dream Big!” is an affirmation from Caribbean-born author Baptiste Paul reminding Black boys and girls that anything is possible, encouraging them to live loudly and boldly.

"Dear You, Dream Big!" is just one of many books that you can purchase at Black Baby Books' website! Be sure to check them out and stock up your child's library!

https://hubs.li/Q02HF1pw0

Great news for Oregon!

The Early Literacy Success Initiative in Oregon is awarding $90 million in grants to support over 250 schools in adjusting their curriculum and training teachers in the science of reading. Since the initiative was passed by the Oregon Legislature in June 2023, every eligible charter and district that applied for the School District grants has received their first-year funding.

Check out the article on K-12 Dive for more info: https://tinyurl.com/229x5ah6

Everyday is a prime day to support a local bookstore! 📖

Bookshop works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world by providing a platform for independent bookstores to compete online and offering financial support to help them maintain their presence in their communities.

The online store is an alternative for socially-conscious shoppers that wish to support small businesses and since its inception in 2020, Bookshop has raised more than $31 million for independent bookstores!

Visit their website and follow them on social media to stay up to date with all things book related.

Students at Ujima Freedom School in Champaign, Illinois, are taking a stand against book banning! On July 17th, over 20 students will gather for a National Day of Social Action Banned Book Fair and Drive to highlight the importance of banned books. Project Director Cessily Thomas shares:

“In Illinois, we don’t have to worry about banned books. But just because it’s not a problem for us doesn’t mean it’s not a problem in the world, and that’s something we’re instilling in our scholars.”

Book banning in the U.S. dates back to the 17th century with the first banned book, “New English Canaan,” a novel criticizing Puritan customs. The American Library Association (ALA) documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge from 2022. Banning books silences the voices of underrepresented groups and their stories. Let’s stand together to protect the freedom to read!

Full article: https://tinyurl.com/33rz5sz5

Great news for !

Funding for New York City public libraries is being fully restored to the tune of $58.3 million!

New York City public libraries will be able to "continue the vital programs, initiatives, and hours of operation that New Yorkers want, need, and deserve." This funding also allows the continuation of servicing patrons six days a week in all locations.

This is a huge victory for NYC public libraries and the communities they serve!

Check out the full statement from NYPL here: https://tinyurl.com/37jysnuj

Exciting news! My Brother’s Keeper Newark (My Brother's Keeper Newark) has released the MBK Summer Reading List for Boys and Young Men of Color—a curated selection of books for all ages to encourage reading and consistent learning throughout the summer months.

MBK Newark is also collaborating with the City of Newark and Programs for Parents Inc. to advance the city’s “10-point literacy plan” announced last summer.

Featured books on the list include “The House on Mango Street,” “Black Boy Joy,” “The Other Wes Moore,” and “Dear Martin,” among others. You can access the complete list through the link below.

Keep an eye out for MBK Newark’s social media campaign to encourage Newark families to share what they’re reading this summer!

MBK Summer Reading List: https://tinyurl.com/52we8xct
Full Article Courtesy of Mosaicnjcom: https://tinyurl.com/3sryxdxk

Ashland University a mid-sized private university in Ohio, has fully implemented the science of reading standards in its Dwight Schar College of Education curriculum. This move aligns with the expectations of state lawmakers and the many school districts AU collaborates with.

When Lisa Vernon-Dotson, Ph.D., became Dean of the Dwight Schar College of Education in 2022, she visited some of the 80-100 schools where AU students are placed for clinical experiences. After meeting with teachers, principals, and superintendents, it became clear that AU students needed a stronger foundation in the science of reading.

With this insight, Vernon-Dotson set out to enhance the preparation of Ashland University’s teaching candidates by integrating the science of reading into the college's education standards.

Read the full article to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/ydf3ybak

The Harvard Graduate School of Education explores the science of reading with "Separating Fact from Fiction about the Science of Reading." As interest in the science of reading grows, so do misconceptions about the method.

To address this, Professor Nonie Lesaux and literacy specialist Katie Carr are co-authoring a series of briefs, starting with one written for the New York State Education Department and the education field at large. These briefs aim to dispel common myths and clarify the science of reading.

Access the complete article hear to learn some facts about the science of reading: https://tinyurl.com/88n3an8h