Community Literacy Project
Connecting all humans to the literacies they need to live, thrive, and be free.
Mission & Vision
Mission
CLP seeks to further the global concept of literacy as a liberatory tool connected to all aspects of human existence. CLP advocates for the connectivity of community-based institutions, organizations, and people to all aspects of a fully literate life — impacting every stakeholder and being in a given geography.
Vision
CLP wants to create a world where public goods are clearly aligned and attuned to the needs of the community, and mutual aid is at the center of all literacy work. A world where every person is seen, valued, and fully equipped to navigate their existence.
What We Stand For
Expand the Definition of Literacy
Define and promulgate the most expansive, transdisciplinary definition of literacy possible — one that is pervasive to all of human existence, not confined to a single discipline or tradition.
Disconnect Literacy from Oppressive Testing
Connect the baseline of literacy to all TEXTS and deprioritize the idea that literacy is limited to an oppressive testing regime that fails to see the humanity or value of funds of knowledge.
Support Indigenous & Co-Created Methods
Support and evaluate, using indigenous methods in co-created spaces, the full landscape of literacy — honoring community wisdom as a legitimate and essential form of knowing.
Explore & Connect
We are part of a growing ecosystem of organizations doing liberatory, community-centered literacy work. Explore these aligned partners and collaborators:
Community Literacies Collaboratory
Facilitates literacy partnerships centered on justice, imagination, and community accountability. https://communityliteraciescollaboratory.com
Pedagogy of Resistance
Equips educators with free, social justice-focused curriculum that centers BIPOC and marginalized voices. https://pedagogyofresistance.org
Sokola Institute
UNESCO prize-winning nonprofit bringing literacy to indigenous communities in Indonesia through culturally embedded learning. https://www.sokola.org
Literacy & Justice Initiative
Advances adult literacy as a tool for racial, social, and economic justice and movement building. https://www.literacyjustice.org
CARE Anacostia
Empowers families and educators through liberatory professional development and mutual aid in DC. https://www.careanacostia.org
Schools for Chiapas
Supports autonomous indigenous education and literacy promotion rooted in Zapatista liberatory pedagogy. https://schoolsforchiapas.org/community-literacy-and-education-promotion/
Chicago, IL
A city-wide ecosystem connecting schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic literacy.
📚 Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Office of Literacy — equitable literacy instruction built on students' lived experiences. Community Schools Initiative (CSI) suhttps://www.cps.edu/about/departments/literacy/pports 200+ schools as community hubs with wraparound health, academic, and family services. https://www.cps.edu/about/departments/literacy/
💰 Financial
Project L.I.F.T. (Leadership & Investment For Transformation) — Knight Foundation-funded initiative providing financial literacy, digital inclusion, and community resource access to families in under-resourced neighborhoods. https://edscoop.com/digital-literacy-the-aim-of-charlotte-schools-civic-tech-experience/
📖 Libraries
Chicago Public Library's "The 81 Club" — a first-of-its-kind partnership with CPS that automatically registers all 315,000+ CPS students for full library access across 81 neighborhood branches. https://www.chipublib.org
🗳 Civics
CPS Sustainable Community Schools model centers racial and social justice, restorative practices, and inclusive leadership — empowering all stakeholders to participate in civic life. https://www.cps.edu/sites/five-year-plan/priorities/community/community-schools/
🏥 Health
CPS Community Schools Initiative provides on-site health and social services at school campuses, open mornings, evenings, and weekends. https://www.cps.edu/about/departments/community-schools-initiative/
Atlanta, GA
Building a culture of reading and equity across schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic life.
📚 Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Accelerated Literacy Model (ALM) — intensive Pre-K through 3rd grade literacy program launching in 4 schools in 2026, developed with the APS Literacy Council. Race2Read citywide reading challenge engages students, families, and community members. https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/teaching-learning/accelerated-literacy-model
💰 Financial
APS Poetry Slam and Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition build financial and life literacy through creative expression, storytelling, and student voice. https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/teaching-learning/library-media-services/programs
📖 Libraries
APS Library Media Services — fosters information-literate citizens through open, equitable access to resources. Partners with Race2Read to build a culture of reading across the district. https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/teaching-learning/curriculum-and-instruction/office-of-literacy/library-media-services
🗳 Civics
APS community partnerships and the Literacy Council bring together district leaders, educators, researchers, and community partners to close literacy gaps through a racial equity lens. https://www.atlantapublicschools.us
🏥 Health
Mayor's Summer Reading Club — a public-private collaboration between the City of Atlanta, GEEARS, PNC, and United Way promoting literacy and vocabulary enrichment for children birth through age 8. https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/programs-and-priorities/mayor-s-summer-reading-club
Charlotte, NC
Connecting schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic literacy across Mecklenburg County.
📚 Schools
Read Charlotte — a capacity-building intermediary strengthening early literacy from birth through elementary school, aligned with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' 5-year plan. Programs include Queen City Readers, AI-powered tutoring (Amira), and school-community partnerships. https://www.readcharlotte.org
💰 Financial
Project L.I.F.T. Civic Tech Experience — Knight Foundation-funded initiative providing financial literacy, digital inclusion, and a "single-stop shop" for families to access state and community resources. https://edscoop.com/digital-literacy-the-aim-of-charlotte-schools-civic-tech-experience/
📖 Libraries
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and public libraries partner through Read Charlotte's Listening Comprehension Resource Center — a first-of-its-kind website with curated research and resources for educators and families. https://www.readcharlotte.org/our-initiatives/
🗳 Civics
GenerationNation — develops K-12 civic leaders in Charlotte and beyond, teaching students how government works, how to engage in civic decision-making, and how to find and use good sources of civic information. https://generationnation.org
🏥 Health
Read Together initiative — built around the proven practice of adults and children reading together to build language, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, supporting whole-child development. https://www.readcharlotte.org/initiatives/
Wilmington, DE
Advancing literacy as a human right through schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic programs.
📚 Schools
Christina Adult Education & Literacy Program — serves adults and out-of- school youth in the Christina School District and City of Wilmington with GED prep, ESL, family literacy, and adult basic education. https://christinaadultprograms.com
💰 Financial
Delaware Literacy Alliance — a statewide coalition addressing Delaware's literacy crisis (20.3% of adults have low literacy skills), connecting libraries, schools, and community organizations to build a fully literate Delaware. https://delawareliteracyalliance.org
📖 Libraries
Literacy Delaware — headquartered at the Wilmington Public Library, partners with the Delaware Division of Libraries to provide volunteer tutoring, English language acquisition, and advocacy for adult learners statewide. 70% of learners have a high school diploma but read below a 5th-grade level. https://literacydelaware.org
🗳 Civics
Delaware Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) — state-funded programs supporting multilingual learners with English skills, civic knowledge, and work readiness to fully participate in community life. https://education.delaware.gov/families/college-career-life/adult-education/multilingual-learners/
🏥 Health
Wilmington Mayor's Office Summer Literacy Program — partnered with Reading Assist and Mrs. Wordsmith to provide science-backed tutoring for youth, with 85%+ of students improving benchmark scores within a year. https://www.delawarepublic.org/education/2025-07-07/wilmington-mayors-office-partners-with-nonprofits-on-summer-youth-literacy-program
Newark, NJ
A city-wide commitment to multi-dimensional literacy across schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic life.
📚 Schools
Newark Reads — the city's official literacy initiative providing multi-dimensional approaches to reading, writing, listening, and thinking skills for adults, children, and families. Backed by Mayor Ras Baraka's 10-Point Youth Literacy Action Plan. https://www.newarknj.gov/261/Newark-Reads
💰 Financial
Urban League of Essex County Literacy Movement — building a community-wide Literacy Center in Newark to serve as a hub for children, families, teachers, and community members, with financial literacy and economic self-sufficiency programs. https://ulec.org/literacymovement/
📖 Libraries
Newark Public Library — a central hub for the Newark Reads initiative, hosting literacy events, the Mayor's Book Club, and community reading programs. Partners with Reading Partners to provide free tutoring for students. https://www.newarknj.gov/261/Newark-Reads
🗳 Civics
Mayor Baraka's 10-Point Youth Literacy Action Plan — calls on schools, parents, community partners, and programs to improve access to culturally relevant books and create reading opportunities that reflect Newark's cultural and ethnic backgrounds. https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2023/7/18/23799471/newark-nj-mayor-ras-baraka-10-point-youth-literacy-action-plan-reading/
🏥 Health
Reading Partners Newark — provides adaptable, evidence-based literacy programming through community partners including Boys & Girls Club Newark, Family Success Centers, and KIPP schools, meeting students where they are. https://readingpartners.org/newark/
St. Louis, MO
Uniting schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic literacy to build a culture of reading for all.
📚 Schools
Literacy for the Lou — St. Louis Public Schools' citywide literacy initiative placing books and reading materials in schools and homes, partnering with libraries for free parent workshops and summer reading programs. https://www.slps.org/departments/academics/early-childhood/literacy-for-the-lou
💰 Financial
Ready Readers — volunteers visit Pre-K classes weekly, building bonds with children and providing intentionally selected books for home libraries, supporting economic and educational well-being. https://www.slps.org/departments/academics/early-childhood/literacy-for-the-lou
📖 Libraries
St. Louis County Library Gateway to Reading — research-based literacy workshops and take-home kits for caregivers and children ages 5–8, focused on phonics and decoding skills. MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach offers individualized adult literacy programs. https://www.slcl.org/children-families/gateway-to-reading
🗳 Civics
Turn the Page STL's Strategic Plan — developed through a racial equity lens, acknowledging that racial inequity in St. Louis' public education system has contributed to generations of under-literate citizens. Aligns kindergarten readiness, summer learning, teacher preparedness, family engagement, and community awareness. https://turnthepagestl.org
🏥 Health
Turn the Page STL — city-county wide literacy initiative dedicated to increasing children reading at grade level by 3rd grade, with a racial equity lens. 69% of summer camp participants increased reading fluency scores. https://turnthepagestl.org
⭐ Spotlight Org: The Believe Projects / STL Black Authors
St. Louis Black Authors of Children's Literature and The Believe Projects® — founded by Julius B. Anthony, this organization inspires kids to become confident and competent readers before the end of third grade using culturally responsive books, music, art, and media. They create Believe Literacy Labs and reading rooms in schools across St. Louis, centering Black children's literature and the belief that every child has the basic human right to read. Less than 3% of picture books published by major companies are written by Black authors — they're changing that. https://stlblackauthors.com | https://thebelieveprojects.com
Kansas City, MO
Building a city of readers through schools, libraries, health, financial, and civic literacy.
📚 Schools
SchoolSmartKC City-Wide Literacy Plan — backed by $6.4M from the Kansas City Royals Foundation and Sherman Family Foundation, equipping 41 elementary schools with full-time literacy coaches and high-dosage tutoring for K–3 students. https://schoolsmartkc.org/city-wide-literacy/
💰 Financial
Lead to Read KC — mobilizes community volunteers for one-on-one reading mentoring during lunch hours, individualized online tutoring, and author partnerships focused on mental health and wellness. https://leadtoreadkc.org
📖 Libraries
Turn the Page KC — citywide literacy initiative with READ 360°, a collective impact program centering parent and family voices neighborhood by neighborhood. Partners with schools and out-of-school programs to ensure every child has literacy skills for life. https://www.turnthepagekc.net
🗳 Civics
Literacy for All Students (LFAS) — a 2024 citywide initiative blending Mississippi's proven literacy model with Kansas City's local leadership. Addresses the fact that 77% of KC 3rd graders are not proficient in ELA and 290,000+ adults struggle with basic literacy. https://bellwether.org/publications/literacy-for-all-students/
🏥 Health
DREAMS KC — equips parents with tools, training, and support to help children master foundational literacy skills at home. Operates through partnerships with The Front Porch Alliance, WEB DuBois Learning Center, and KCPS. "Literacy is liberation." https://dreamskc.org
⭐ Spotlight Org: SchoolSmartKC
SchoolSmartKC is a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating student growth and proficiency for Kansas City students. In 2024, they launched Literacy for All Students (LFAS) — a citywide initiative backed by $6.4M from the Kansas City Royals Foundation and Sherman Family Foundation. The plan equips 41 elementary schools with full-time literacy coaches and high-dosage tutoring for every K–3 student. With 77% of KC 3rd graders not proficient in ELA and 290,000+ adults struggling with basic literacy, SchoolSmartKC is building the cross-sector collaboration needed to change those numbers. https://schoolsmartkc.org