A dedicated group of local educators is on a mission to overcome reading disparities in our community, driven by a shared passion for education and personal experiences with the power of reading. Co-led by Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) teachers and literacy experts Deanna Roland and Renay Williams-Whitson, Promise to Read is a movement to empower families, caregivers, and educators to promote early literacy. This grassroots effort integrates community engagement with evidence-based practices to create opportunities for children to thrive.

For Deanna, Renay, and their team of six passionate educators, literacy isn’t just about teaching children to read; it’s about bridging generational gaps, providing access to opportunity, and ensuring that every child, family, and educator has the support to succeed. They believe literacy is a critical social justice issue that reflects historical inequities and continues to impact our society today, emphasizing the need for equitable resources to support all learners.

Reading is deeply personal for Deanna and Renay. Deanna’s great-great-grandfather, born to an enslaver, learned to read from his enslaver’s mistress. When he eventually reunited with his family, he taught his mother and siblings how to read, ultimately changing the trajectory of his descendants.

“Although circumstances were horrible, many other families didn’t have that opportunity,” said Deanna. “We grew up seeing how that prevented them from participating in democracy, like voting, so I’ve always valued the power of literacy and how knowledge can impact future generations.”

Renay’s early childhood memories include rummage sales to source gently used books and reading contests. She remembers her mother, a literacy advocate in her own right, reading to her in her earliest memories of life. Even “quiet time” was centered on reading, writing, or crossword puzzles. Literacy wasn’t just about learning; it was a means of connecting with herself, her family, and the world around her.

“When you can’t read, you’re blocked from many opportunities–education, jobs, even civic engagement,” said Renay. 

From Vision to Action

Early in their careers, Deanna and Renay bonded in their pursuit of impacting change within their community when their paths crossed as district literacy coaches in 2022. They knew their experiences were unique from those of other families historically denied literacy, and were eager to help expand access to resources.

Last Spring, Deanna and Renay were invited to participate in an event organized by the Michigan Transformation Collective (MTC) to explore ways to address local literacy gaps as a social justice issue. There, they collaborated with eight other like-hearted educators and created Promise to Read. 

“We wanted a more permanent, consistent channel to support early literacy,” said Deanna. “Promise to Read became a way for us to take action.”

The team met regularly to brainstorm strategies for preventing reading difficulties. The initiative teaches parents and caregivers how to support children’s reading development before they fall behind. It quickly gained traction and the support of MTC and Stara Collaborative and has since grown to work alongside their own team and board of directors. 

Literacy as a Social Justice Issue

Deanna and Renay explain that people who cannot read are prevented from accessing education, employment, and the ability to engage in society fully. These disparities reflect systemic inequities and highlight the urgent need to address literacy gaps, not just as an educational issue but as a matter of social justice affecting opportunity and quality of life.

How Illiteracy is Impacting Our Community:

• Adult Illiteracy Rates: The Kalamazoo Literacy Council reports that about 1 in every 8 adults in Kalamazoo County—around 25,000 individuals—struggles with reading. This challenge hinders their opportunities for employment, health management, and supporting their children’s education.
• 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency: More than 30% of third graders in Kalamazoo do not demonstrate proficiency in reading, raising concerns about their future academic performance.
• Intergenerational Impact: Studies show that children whose parents have low literacy skills are 72% more likely to score at the lowest reading levels, continuing the cycle of illiteracy.
• Declining Proficiency Standards: According to Stara Collaborative, 35% of fourth-graders scored above the reading proficiency standard in 2019. However, this number fell to 33% in 2022 and decreased to 31% in 2024, indicating a concerning decline in literacy achievement.
• National Literacy Benchmarks: On a national scale, 65% of students fail to meet literacy benchmarks, with the gap expanding and disproportionately impacting underserved populations.

Despite these challenges, Deanna and Renay remain hopeful. “We know 95% of students can learn to read,” said Deanna. “So knowing it’s possible tells us we’re doing something to leave out our students.”

As they continue to increase their impact alongside their team and board of directors, Deanna and Renay offer advice for parents and caregivers looking for support. 

5 Tips for Supporting Early Literacy at Home

1. Start with Conversation: Talk to your children. Engaging in conversations helps children develop language skills and build a foundation for literacy.
2. Create a Literate Environment: Point out signs, labels, and other written text in your everyday surroundings. Help them understand that literacy involves reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
3. Build Relationships with Teachers and Educators: Strong relationships with your child’s teachers can make a difference. Keep in contact, be present, and ask how to further support your child’s reading development.
4. Seek Out Available Resources: We live in a time where information is more accessible than ever. Use free resources like your local library, audiobooks, YouTube, educational websites, and apps to supplement your child’s learning. There are many free or low-cost tools available that can help.
5. Make Learning a Priority: Families have different needs and journeys, but everyone can prioritize literacy. Even small actions, like reading together for a few minutes daily, can make a difference in a child’s future.

Deanna and Renay emphasize that literacy is a collective commitment shared by teachers, families, and the community. As Promise to Read continues to expand, the team invites local leaders and educators to collaborate on future workshops, training sessions, and professional development opportunities. They also encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to prioritize literacy in the home. To stay informed about upcoming learning opportunities, visit https://www.stara.org/all-projects/promise-to-read and sign up for email updates.