The Odis Ella Foundation

02/07/2026

Literacy is King is back ✨
All February long we’re celebrating Black History Month with weekly Storytime featuring Black history stories, facts, and legacy-centered books for our youth.
This week, tap in as The Odis Ella Foundation’s Executive Director reads “There Was a Party for Langston.”
Let’s keep our children rooted in culture, pride, and the power of storytelling.
Watch now on YouTube + don’t forget to subscribe to stay locked in with every Storytime this month 📚🖤

11/05/2025

✨ Missed the Richland Library Tour? Catch the Replay Now! ✨📚
If you missed our Books to Brilliance event — don’t worry, the full Richland Library Tour replay is now live on our YouTube channel! 🎥💻
Walk with us through the Main Branch and discover the incredible spaces, creative labs, community studios, and resources that make our library one of the brightest gems in Richland County. From the teen mural wall to the sewing and woodshop rooms — there’s something for every mind to explore. 🌈📖
🔎 Watch now by searching “Odiswashere” on YouTube and subscribe to stay updated on all of our Literacy is King events and community programs.
Let’s keep reading, exploring, and growing together — because when we nurture readers, we raise leaders. 👑✨

10/15/2025

📚✨ This Thursday: The Brownies’ Book — A Celebration of Black Childhood, Culture, and Creativity ✨📚

Join us this Thursday at 6:30 PM for our next Literacy is King event as we explore The Brownies’ Book, presented by Caridad Mercedes , the historic children’s magazine founded in 1920 by W.E.B. Du Bois and Jessie Fauset — created to uplift, educate, and inspire young Black readers through stories, art, and truth.
Together, we’ll honor its legacy and reflect on how it laid the foundation for Black children’s publishing, representation, and imagination. 🌈✨

💻 RSVP at: theodisellafoundation.org/events
📥 Download your discussion guides and literacy resources to follow along.

As we celebrate the brilliance of the past, we continue to build the future through our Adopt a Reader, Support a Leader campaign — funding 20 students in our upcoming Spring Etiquette Program. Every gift helps us empower readers who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
Because representation matters. Literacy matters. Legacy matters. 👑📖

10/14/2025

Join us tonight at 6:30 pm for Our Children’s Storytime series !

10/13/2025

📚✨ Tomorrow Night: Children’s Storytime @ 6:30 PM! ✨📚
Join us for another evening of imagination and learning as we read two beloved classics —
🌈 Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
🐛 The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Families are invited to tune in, read along, and download our free digital companions — including the Reading Log and Scavenger Hunt — to make storytime interactive and fun for all ages.
💻 RSVP now at 👉 theodisellafoundation.org/events
As we inspire young readers, we’re also raising support through our Adopt a Reader, Support a Leader campaign — funding 20 students to join our Spring Etiquette Program.
Every donation, big or small, helps a child not only read but lead.
🪞✨ Give or get involved today by visiting the Donate or Volunteer tabs on our website.
Because when we nurture readers, we build leaders — and that’s why Literacy is King. 👑📚

10/10/2025

📚✨ A Space for Teen Brilliance ✨📚
In this clip from our Books to Brilliance Library Tour, we’re walking into the Teen Section of the Richland County Library — and trust us, it’s a space that radiates creativity and purpose. 💡
Our library guide, Mrs. Amy, shares the powerful story behind the stunning mural along the back wall: it began as a project from the library’s first Artist-in-Residence, who invited community members — including kids — to illustrate Black bookmarks celebrating literacy, culture, and imagination. Those individual works of art have now been transformed into the vibrant mural you see here, wrapping the room in community pride and creative expression. 🎨
This space isn’t just for reading — it’s where young minds gather to dream, collaborate, and build brilliance together.
If you missed the full Books to Brilliance Library Tour premiere, you can still experience it now on our YouTube channel 🎥
👉 Watch the full tour at on YouTube
Because when we invest in literacy, we invest in legacy. 👑📚

10/06/2025

📚✨ Storytime Tomorrow Night! ✨📚
We’re so excited to welcome families back for Tuesday Night Storytime as part of our Literacy is King campaign. 🏆
This weekend, our CEO was stopped in a shopping center by an inspiring young author — Quay Dixon inspired by Izaiah , just 11 years old — who confidently shared his book, “I Am King.” 👑
We were so moved by his courage and message that we’re adding a special reading of “I Am King” to our campaign lineup for Thursday, October 30th.
Let’s show up for our littles and for Quay!
📖 To purchase his book or support him, visit www.thepeopleskid.com/book
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 RSVP for Storytime and all of our family-friendly events at TheOdisEllaFoundation.org
Together, we’re inspiring the next generation of leaders—one story at a time. ✨

10/03/2025

10/02/2025

We’re so excited to launch our Literacy is King campaign with our very first virtual event: Children’s Storytime!
🗓 Monday, October 7th at 6:30 PM
📖 We’ll be reading the beloved classic Where the Wild Things Are together.
To make the evening fun and interactive, families can download our free digital companions — including the 📜 Reading Log and 🕵🏾‍♀️ Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet — to help keep kids engaged and make this storytime truly memorable.
✨ Download your companions and RSVP at 👉 theodisellafoundation.org/events
Join us as we spark curiosity, celebrate the joy of reading, and kick off a month filled with inspiring literacy events for all ages.
Let’s turn pages, grow minds, and build legacy together — because Literacy is King. 👑📚