The picture we often have of reading is rather inert: sitting still, a book in hand, and maybe a dog curled up on our lap. However, I have always experienced reading as anything but passive. It is an action-filled act, a journey that connects us to community, history, and identity. Through books, we explore worlds beyond our own and uncover the stories that have shaped us. In my house, we have intentionally created a bookshelf that takes us across generations, identities and histories. We read about Maya, Madiba, Malcolm, and more, voices that shaped history through courage, resilience, and the fight for justice. I want my kids to know the fullness of their inheritance, to see both the brilliance and the struggles that brought them to today. I want them to understand the complexities of America, to recognize its contradictions, and to learn from those who worked to transform it.
One thing I want them to know is that Black history and literacy have always been linked. Throughout American history, literacy was a revolutionary act and a pathway to freedom, power, and self-determination. From Frederick Douglass teaching himself to read in secret to Maya Angelou giving voice to the voiceless, literacy has always been a tool for change.
Right here in Kansas City, we’ve seen how access to literacy has shaped our city’s Black history. The fight for school desegregation, the legacy of Lincoln High School as a beacon of Black excellence, and the community-driven push for equitable education all point to one truth: literacy is power. But even today, disparities in literacy rates persist, disproportionately affecting Black students. The fight isn’t over.
At Lead to Read KC, we know that every child deserves access to the power of words. We believe that reading is more than just an academic skill, it’s a foundation for confidence, opportunity, and justice. We see this every day when a Reading Mentor helps a child sound out a tough word or when a student lights up as they turn the pages of a book where they finally see themselves represented.
How We Can Honor Black History This Month—and Every Month
📚 Read stories that reflect the fullness of history. Whether it’s The Undefeated, Hidden Figures, or Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, books give our kids the language to dream big.
👩🏾🏫 Support Black educators and literacy initiatives. Our schools need teachers, mentors, and leaders who reflect and affirm every student’s identity.
🤝 Become a Reading Mentor. The fight for literacy is a fight for justice. We need more people who are willing to show up, one book and one student at a time.
This month, let’s not just reflect on history, let’s be part of it. Let’s make sure every child in Kansas City has access to the stories, the mentors, and the opportunities they need to thrive.
Rhea Muchalla LeGrande
Executive Director
Lead to Read KC
