ABC READ, INC

ABC READ, INC is a non-profit 501c3 organization. Our mission is to help develop and nurture the love of reading in every child. ABC READ, INC.

was founded so that Black families and those who come from underserved communities
where reading proficiency is very low can be read aloud to and they will be able to take books with them so they can begin to build their own libraries at home. We also want our children to have access to everything that will help them gain the necessary literacy skills they will need, so they can thrive in a world

that is advancing every single day. ABC READ also understands that a major component to a child developing the love of reading is they must begin to pick healthful foods to eat in particular at snack time. Just like there are countless number of studies that show reading aloud to children is one of the most effective ways to improve a child's reading skills; studies also show that there is a strong link between children who eat healthful snacks and doing well academically. This is why after our fun and interactive read alouds we make sure to give children healthy snacks to choose from, especially those who come from areas where it is a food desert and there are a lack of quality grocery stores in their communities.

06/19/2026

They could tell me why tea was dumped into Boston Harbor, but many had never heard of Black Wall Street.

That contrast stopped me in my tracks.
Today, 19 young people learned about one of the most successful Black communities in American history.

As a Literacy Engagement Artist, I spend my days bringing books to life and helping Black and Brown children discover the history, culture, and contributions that too often go untaught.

Think about that.

They knew the details of the Boston Tea Party, yet Black Wall Street was completely new to many of them.

That reality reminds me how much work remains to close the gaps in what our children learn about Black history.
One of my responsibilities is to help fill that gap.

Through books, storytelling, discussion, and interactive literacy experiences, I help young people discover stories that inspire pride, possibility, and purpose. Black Wall Street wasn’t just a lesson about the past—it was a lesson about entrepreneurship, community, resilience, and excellence.

Today, 19 youth walked away knowing something they didn’t know before.
And that makes me proud.
Because every time a child learns their history, they gain a deeper understanding of who they are and what they can become.

06/17/2026

Our Youth Should Be Seen and Heard!

Today marked the first session of our Youth Voices of Change Workshop, where 25 incredible young people began a journey of discovering the power of their voices and their ability to create meaningful change in their community.

This was not your ordinary workshop where youth sat quietly and took notes. Their voices were heard. They openly shared concerns about issues affecting them, their families, and their neighborhoods. More importantly, they learned that they are not just complainers—they are problem solvers.

Every time a challenge or concern was raised, I challenged them to think deeper: What solutions do you have? What can be done differently? How can you be part of the change? The conversations were thoughtful, honest, and inspiring.

A major focus of our workshop was helping youth understand the importance of confidence and courage. They learned that they stand on the shoulders of leaders like Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Mary McLeod Bethune, who paved the way for future generations to speak up, speak out, and challenge injustice. Their legacy reminds us that young people have always been part of movements that create change.

We appreciate Teralawanda Aaron for inviting ABC READ and Reading Is Freedom to partner in this important work of empowering youth to become voices of change in their communities.

We are also grateful to the NORA Center for providing a welcoming space for our youth to convene, learn, collaborate, and grow this summer.

When we listen to our youth, we don’t just hear their concerns—we discover their ideas, creativity, leadership, and solutions. This is only the beginning, and we are excited to see how these young leaders will use their voices to make a positive impact in the world around them.

Because our youth should not only be seen and heard—they should be valued, empowered, and equipped to lead.

06/16/2026

It was another amazing literacy experience at the Horizon Children care center in Euclid! The pre-k babies loved the story and activity! You can best believe these babies will connect reading to pleasure, excitement and joy! This partnership between ABC READ, Reading Is Freedom and Horizon Childcare center is what cultivating a culture of literacy looks like!

06/14/2026

📚✨ Join Us for a Powerful Read Aloud! ✨📚

This week on Read Aloud Sunday, we’ll be reading Doctor Dyslexia Dude, a graphic novel based on the true story of Dr. Shawn Robinson.

As a child, Shawn struggled to read but didn’t understand why. Like many students, he felt embarrassed, frustrated, and misunderstood. It wasn’t until he got older that he discovered he had dyslexia. His story shines a light on an important issue affecting many children, especially in the Black community, where reading disorders such as dyslexia are often overlooked or misdiagnosed as behavioral problems.

Books like Doctor Dyslexia Dude are so important because they help children see that struggling with reading does not mean they are not intelligent, capable, or destined for success. They also help parents, educators, and community members better understand the signs of dyslexia and the importance of early intervention and support.

Representation matters. Awareness matters. Literacy matters.

Join us as we explore this inspiring story of perseverance, self-discovery, and triumph. After the read aloud, we’ll have an engaging Kahoot game filled with fun questions and learning opportunities!

Read Aloud Sunday
7:30 PM EST

Click the link to join us and be part of this important conversation about literacy, learning differences, and empowering our youth! 📖💙
Reading Is Freedom!

https://www.youtube.com/live/K4lKwf_ditM?is=PqWyo0Qmmmhp1xbq

06/14/2026

🌱 From a Lack Mindset to a Growth Mindset! 🌱

The youth at Horizon Childcare Center recently participated in an engaging literacy activity centered around the inspiring book Abdul’s Story. They met Abdul, a young boy who loved telling stories but struggled when it came time to write them down. As they listened, the children recognized Abdul’s negative self-talk and learned how those thoughts can hold us back.

Everything changed when Mr. Muhammad, a supportive guest teacher, encouraged Abdul to keep trying and reminded him that struggling doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. Through encouragement and perseverance, Abdul’s lack mindset began to transform into a growth mindset.

To deepen their understanding, the youth participated in a role-play activity where they acted out both lack mindset and growth mindset responses. This hands-on experience helped bring the lesson to life!

✨ Benefits of Role Play:
📚 Strengthens comprehension by helping children connect with story characters and themes.
🗣️ Builds communication and speaking skills.
💡 Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
❤️ Develops empathy by helping children understand different perspectives and feelings.
🌟 Boosts confidence as children practice positive self-talk and growth mindset behaviors.

These literacy activities did more than support reading skills—they helped our youth understand the power of their words, thoughts, and attitudes. When children learn to replace “I can’t do it” with “I can’t do it yet,” they begin to see challenges as opportunities to grow.

06/13/2026

One of the most powerful lessons our youth learned at the Horizon Child Care Center was the difference between a fixed (lack) mindset and a growth mindset.

After reading Abdul’s Story, students participated in a role-playing activity where they received a card labeled either “Lack Mindset” or “Growth Mindset.” They then had to act out or share a statement that matched their mindset.

This hands-on activity helped youth make meaningful connections to Abdul’s journey. Just like Abdul, who often doubted himself because writing was difficult, students learned how changing their words and thoughts can change their confidence and perseverance.

Role-playing is a powerful literacy tool because it brings stories to life, deepens comprehension, and helps children see themselves in the characters they read about. When children connect a book to their own experiences, reading becomes more engaging, memorable, and meaningful.

06/12/2026

📚✨ Building Readers, Storytellers, and Confident Learners! ✨📚

ABC READ, Reading Is Freedom, and HLC Euclid recently partnered to bring an engaging literacy experience to the youth at Horizon Child Care Center.

The students listened attentively to Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, a powerful book about a young boy who loved telling stories but struggled when it came to writing them down. Everything changed when a caring teacher, Mr. Muhammad, encouraged Abdul and helped him shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

The students and their teacher thoroughly enjoyed the story! After the read-aloud, they worked together to create their own collective story, with each child contributing a sentence. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen creativity, oral language, collaboration, and storytelling skills.

To top it all off, every student selected a book to take home and add to their personal library—helping to foster a love of reading beyond the classroom.

💛 If you value young people being immersed in meaningful literacy experiences this summer, please consider making a donation. Your support helps us continue providing books, read-alouds, and enriching literacy programs to children in our most underserved communities.

Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of reading—one story at a time.

Click the link below to donate today!

https://abcread.org

06/08/2026

📚☀️ Beating the Summer Slide One Fun Activity at a Time! ☀️📚

The youth at Horizon Childcare Center had an amazing time putting their knowledge to the test during the ABC Read Jeopardy Game! This exciting literacy-based activity brought learning to life as students worked together, answered questions, and competed in a fun and positive environment.

Games like Jeopardy are more than just fun—they provide powerful educational benefits that help children continue learning throughout the summer months:

✅ Strengthens Literacy Skills – Students practice reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and recalling information they have learned.

✅ Encourages Teamwork – Youth learn how to collaborate, communicate, and support one another to achieve a common goal.

✅ Promotes Healthy Competition – Friendly competition motivates students to participate, stay engaged, and challenge themselves academically.

✅ Builds Critical Thinking Skills – Players must analyze questions, make connections, and think strategically before responding.

✅ Boosts Confidence and Participation – Every correct answer helps children feel successful and encourages them to actively engage in learning.

At ABC Read, we believe literacy should be engaging, interactive, and fun. Activities like our Jeopardy Game are creative ways to bring youth together during the summer while helping them develop important academic skills, build positive relationships, and prevent learning loss.

Together, we are creating enriching literacy experiences that inspire a love of reading and learning beyond the classroom.

💙 Help us continue making a difference! Your support allows us to provide books, literacy activities, educational resources, and engaging programs for children in underserved communities.

📖 Donate today and invest in a child’s future. Every contribution helps us empower young readers and beat the summer slide one child at a time!

https://abcread.org/

06/07/2026

🌱📚 Tonight’s Read Aloud Adventure: The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver 📚🌱

Did you know that one of the world’s most famous scientists started out as a curious child who loved exploring nature? Join us as we read The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver, an inspiring story that takes us on a journey through the life of George Washington Carver and reveals how his love for plants, learning, and discovery earned him the nickname “The Plant Doctor.”

Through determination, creativity, and a passion for helping others, Carver overcame tremendous obstacles and used his knowledge to improve the lives of farmers and communities across the country. This powerful story encourages young readers to stay curious, believe in themselves, and never stop learning.

Join us today at 7:30 PM EST for this exciting read aloud experience!

After the story, put your listening skills to the test with a fun and interactive Kahoot! trivia game where you’ll have a chance to show what you learned about George Washington Carver and his incredible contributions to the world.

Don’t miss this educational and engaging literacy experience for the whole family!

Click the link below to join the read aloud.

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Help us spread the joy of reading and learning!

https://www.youtube.com/live/mhI5Eoegkj0?si=V9aLgsUBG4icMdD_

06/05/2026

This summer, ABC READ and Reading Is Freedom are proud to partner with Horizon Child Care Center to provide enriching literacy experiences that inspire, engage, and empower our youth.

During one of our recent sessions, the school-age students enjoyed a read-aloud of the award-winning book Sulwe, a powerful story about a young girl who struggles to love her dark skin and discovers the beauty within herself. After the story, students participated in an interactive skit where Sulwe was teased because of her skin color. In a beautiful display of empathy and courage, another student stepped in to defend her, showing what it means to stand up against hurtful words and support others.

The students were fully engaged throughout the experience, actively discussing themes of self-love, self-acceptance, kindness, and confidence. By bringing stories to life through dramatic play and meaningful conversations, we help young people make personal connections to books and discover the joy of reading.

These are the kinds of intentional, interactive, and culturally relevant literacy experiences that help cultivate a lifelong love of reading. At ABC READ and Reading Is Freedom, we are committed to ensuring that children not only improve their literacy skills but also see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Together, we are building confident readers, compassionate leaders, and lifelong learners this summer and beyond.

Address

Cleveland, OH
44108

Telephone

+12162568627

Website

http://abcread.org/

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