Dexter and Lydia Manley Foundation

10/22/2025

What a wonderful day at Worthington. Manor for the first Dexter and Lydia Manley Foundation golf tournament!

Lots of fun and some great golf

06/24/2025

This week, as Reach kicks off our annual Summer Leadership Academy, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the Dexter and Lydia Manley Foundation. If you missed the last newsletter, this incredible organization (and Reach ally) champions the right to read for DC students.

Many football fans may recognize Dexter Manley as the formidable “Secretary of Defense.” Born in Houston, Texas, Dexter was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 1981 NFL draft. Over nine seasons with the team, he earned two Super Bowl rings and was named a Two-Time All-Pro Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1986.

Yet behind his athletic success was a personal struggle-one that would ultimately fuel his commitment to literacy. Despite attending Oklahoma State University for four years, Dexter remained functionally illiterate. A turning point came when he witnessed a fellow player suffer a career-ending injury. Petrified, and realizing how vulnerable he would be without literacy skills, Dexter found the courage within himself to seek help. “It’s important to acknowledge that you need the help,” he says.

That decision led him to the Washington Lab School, where he began working with a tutor. Even as his football career took him to other cities and teams, Dexter never wavered in his pursuit of becoming a reader. He sought out tutoring wherever he went and even attended seminars exploring the link between illiteracy and crime. The moment he realized he could read a national magazine—and later, truly comprehend a football playbook—was transformational. He was no longer on the sidelines but fully in the game.

Dexter knows firsthand how literacy opens doors. “Reading gives people hope, and we’re all in need of hope. It gives people the confidence to know that they can go out and achieve what they want to achieve.”

Thank you, Dexter, for sharing your story—and showing us the power of perseverance, resilience, and self-advocacy—strengths that Reach tutors have been developing throughout the year as well. Dexter’s story reminds us all that it is never too late to grow and that the ability to read and write can change the trajectory of an entire life.

01/14/2025

Wow! What a night at the Rock Creek Mansion watching football and supporting the Foundartion. Great job hosting, Board Member, Billy Dwyer

12/09/2024

For anyone wanting to donate, the link is on the website above! Thank you

12/09/2024

https://dextermanleyfoundation.org/

Giving back through life-changing experiences.

12/09/2024

https://fox5dc.com/video/1559180

A Washington football legend is turning his personal struggles with literacy into a foundation that’s working to help D.C. school children who have trouble reading. Dexter Manley played nine seasons in Washington. What many fans and friends didn’t know, was he was functionally illiterate and str...

12/08/2024

12/08/2024

Dexter leading the cause on Fox 5!

03/29/2024

Which books have you read this year??

From our founders:
Lydia’s 📕 is on the right and
Dexter’s 📕 is on the left!

Comment below with your current book!

03/28/2024

Dexter sharing his experiences, how he overcame them and encouraging students at this Read event in Ashburn 📚📚📚🏈🏈🏈

A little over four hours ago nearly 3-hundred students met former players and legends from the franchise.

03/28/2024

https://x.com/dexterlydia/status/1772107144457855341?s=46&t=EXmCItVKP8rXof3HDLvuwQ