1739
2025
Only 21% of Black children in Memphis can read on grade level.
LEADING THE FIGHT
Literacy is a civil right
The data schools provide is not clear:
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Children can be getting A’s and B’s on report cards but are not able to read or do math on grade level.
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Parents do not have the information they need to make informed decisions.
However, the criminal justice system data is very clear:
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80% of young people who interact with the juvenile justice system are functionally illiterate.
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75% of adults in prison can’t read.
We are organizing parents, community members and decision makers to lift literacy rates in Memphis.
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
-Frederick Douglass
LIBERATION
Building power to lift literacy rates in Memphis
We educate and mobilize parents
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Our Literacy Fellowship educates parents about how to understand what reading and math grade level their child is on
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We are demanding timely, accurate, parent-friendly information about reading and math levels and collectively holding systems accountable.
We partner with community members and decision makers
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We partner with non-profit organizations committed to literacy assessments and improving reading and math levels.
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We partner with the Juvenile Justice Center to make sure children are getting reading instruction.
