Read 2 Succeed
Read 2 Succeed Asheville/Buncombe (R2S) is a local, independent literacy nonprofit working to close the race-based opportunity gap through community-powered, evidence-based literacy programming that engages children, families, and community partners. We focus on three connected pillars: early childhood and kindergarten-readiness support, elementary tutoring, and community and family literacy access. Our impact is driven by practical, no-cost community investments that meet thousands of families where they are, including early childhood support, one-to-one tutoring, read-aloud experiences, literacy trainings for adults supporting students, community partner events, and culturally responsive books and materials distributed to homes and classrooms.
On a personal level, being recognized as a Hometown Hero is an incredible honor. I’ve got an amazing team and wonderful community support and still–showing up every day to do difficult work within the landscape of education in North Carolina and post-Helene recovery–it’s daunting. This recognition has been a beautiful reminder that the work I do is being seen. And more than that, having grassroots, Black- and female-led nonprofit that fights for the importance of BIPOC students’ education being recognized at this level sends a message to these students that they matter at a national scale.
