Aaliyah's Literacy and Leadership Foundation

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

The King Center remembers . 71 years ago today, the apple of his mom, Mamie Till’s, eye was brutally dehumanized and lynched by a rabidly racist mob of white men who had been lied to by a white woman. Even if she had been telling the truth about Emmett whistling at her, the lynching of Emmett Till would have still been vile and reprehensible. A whistle inciting a murder is depravity.

However, this was like many incidents today, when people know that a lie, embellishment of a misunderstanding, or reporting the presence of a Black person will facilitate violence against that person.

Anti-black racism still exists. And is persisting in policies, dismissing of critical history lessons, policing, systemic barriers, and strategic, unjust efforts to weaponize the word “woke” at the expense of Black people in America.

Just as the lynching of Emmett Till and his mother showing his body at his funeral were catalysts for the movement then, may his memory galvanize us now.

09/01/2026

📚✏️ Add reading to your family’s back-to-school supply list!

RIF’s FREE Back-to-School Family Literacy Kit is packed with easy-to-use resources designed to help families make reading part of everyday life - at home, after school, and wherever learning happens.

🌟 Bilingual resources to support more families
📖 Engaging activities that make reading fun
🏠 Simple ways to build literacy into everyday routines
❤️ Tools to help families nurture a lifelong love of reading

Explore RIF’s Back-to-School Reading Supply Kit at rif.org/back-to-school.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

63 years ago today.
Rosa Parks
March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom
Photo: Gordon Parks

09/01/2026

College is valuable.

That value is also about more than ROI. For many students across the nation, it can provide a pathway to long-term success.

In the debut episode of the Pulse Check series, "The Value of Higher Ed: Spoiler Alert, It's More than ROI — Part 1," host Michele Ehrhart of the University of Memphis and guest Dave Martel of the University of Virginia discuss the broader impact of college. Drawing from their perspectives as first-generation college graduates, they explore how higher education fosters essential skills for success, navigates the integration of AI tools, and addresses growing national affordability challenges.

As conversations about the value of higher education continue, it is important to recognize the opportunities and experiences college can provide beyond financial returns. Listen to the debut episode of the Pulse Check series at the link in the comments below.

09/01/2026

For millions of students, going to college is not only about earning admission; it is also about being able to afford the full cost of attendance. Tuition, housing, food, textbooks, transportation, and other daily expenses can make higher education feel out of reach, especially for students from low...

09/01/2026

School counselors: New year, new updates!

Fall Counselor Workshops are here: free, live sessions covering everything new in AP, SAT Suite, and BigFuture for 2026–27. Ask your questions live, or watch on-demand whenever it works for you. Don't forget to save your spot today! 🔗 http://spr.ly/6188B1j0MI