LWL HISTORY
THE BEGINNING
Real Men Read was launched by Michael Neal, Senior Pastor of Glorious Light Church in the 2011-12 school year. This program was to be a catalyst for Pastor Neal and Glorious Light Church to serve the Bronzeville Community in which he is both resident and where the church has been planted to serve.
This opportunity to serve was greatly assisted by the Principal of Jackie Robinson School Sonja Spiller. Mrs. Spiller had already shown a desire to be a collaborative community partner by sharing other information that was beneficial to the community and Glorious Light Church. Therefore, it was only appropriate to share this desire to serve with her and her staff.
The concept of Real Men Read was and is to have male volunteers be a presence in the school by reading to primary grade children on a weekly basis. Jackie Robinson School was the perfect school for this to be launched, not only because of the leadership of Mrs. Spiller, but also because this particular school was a small school consisting of grades Pre K-3.
THE PROGRAM
Our initial readings at Jackie Robinson were set for Tuesday mornings. The children that had arrived early for school would be gathered together and brought to the library and a male volunteer would read a short story. Interest was such that enough male volunteers were available and half way through the school year the program was modified to send men to each individual classroom. The following school year, two additional schools were added Drake Elementary led by Keisha Warner and Mollison Elementary led by Kimberly Henderson. They also have proven to be strong partners and advocates of Real Men Read. In the second half of that same school year an additional
three schools were added: Dolittle Elementary, Fuller School of Excellence and Wells Prep. Lauren Norwood, Pamela Creed, and Jeffery White lead these schools respectively.
In the 2013-2014 school year, four additional schools were added: Burke Elementary, Pershing East, Reavis Elementary and Woodson Elementary. The Chicago Public Schools Administration, commended us for our service stating: “Thank you so much for graciously volunteering your time, energy and passion to our students through your Real Men Read program in Bronzeville. Not only are you giving of your own time and window, but you have also brought on so many volunteers to join you in serving students and schools across your community, and I cannot thank all of you enough."
THE EXPANSION
Real Men Read Bronzeville has begun to expand to other areas of Chicago and to others cities across our nation. After a year of planting the seed and laying the groundwork, reading was introduced at the Crockett School in Phoenix AZ in 2014. Chanel Powe a member of the Balsz District School Board and Principal Sean Hannafin have been instrumental in the success of the program.
On August 25, 2015 Fredrick Douglas School of Cincinnati OH was added to our portfolio of schools. Under the direction of our board member Beth McNeil, Principal Jeff Hall and a committed group of male volunteers we have already seen great strides and positive feedback from this historic school. September 15, 2015 Rothenburg School, also of Cincinnati was added. Principal Amber Simpson is the school leader and is committed to the success of the program.
In our efforts to serve nationally, it was determined by our Board of Directors that a new name be adapted. As of October 15, 2015, Real Men Read Bronzeville will become known as “Leading with Literacy”. We will continue to build scholars “One Book At A Time
THE BEGINNING
Real Men Read was launched by Michael Neal, Senior Pastor of Glorious Light Church in the 2011-12 school year. This program was to be a catalyst for Pastor Neal and Glorious Light Church to serve the Bronzeville Community in which he is both resident and where the church has been planted to serve.
This opportunity to serve was greatly assisted by the Principal of Jackie Robinson School Sonja Spiller. Mrs. Spiller had already shown a desire to be a collaborative community partner by sharing other information that was beneficial to the community and Glorious Light Church. Therefore, it was only appropriate to share this desire to serve with her and her staff.
The concept of Real Men Read was and is to have male volunteers be a presence in the school by reading to primary grade children on a weekly basis. Jackie Robinson School was the perfect school for this to be launched, not only because of the leadership of Mrs. Spiller, but also because this particular school was a small school consisting of grades Pre K-3.
THE PROGRAM
Our initial readings at Jackie Robinson were set for Tuesday mornings. The children that had arrived early for school would be gathered together and brought to the library and a male volunteer would read a short story. Interest was such that enough male volunteers were available and half way through the school year the program was modified to send men to each individual classroom. The following school year, two additional schools were added Drake Elementary led by Keisha Warner and Mollison Elementary led by Kimberly Henderson. They also have proven to be strong partners and advocates of Real Men Read. In the second half of that same school year an additional
three schools were added: Dolittle Elementary, Fuller School of Excellence and Wells Prep. Lauren Norwood, Pamela Creed, and Jeffery White lead these schools respectively.
In the 2013-2014 school year, four additional schools were added: Burke Elementary, Pershing East, Reavis Elementary and Woodson Elementary. The Chicago Public Schools Administration, commended us for our service stating: “Thank you so much for graciously volunteering your time, energy and passion to our students through your Real Men Read program in Bronzeville. Not only are you giving of your own time and window, but you have also brought on so many volunteers to join you in serving students and schools across your community, and I cannot thank all of you enough."
THE EXPANSION
Real Men Read Bronzeville has begun to expand to other areas of Chicago and to others cities across our nation. After a year of planting the seed and laying the groundwork, reading was introduced at the Crockett School in Phoenix AZ in 2014. Chanel Powe a member of the Balsz District School Board and Principal Sean Hannafin have been instrumental in the success of the program.
On August 25, 2015 Fredrick Douglas School of Cincinnati OH was added to our portfolio of schools. Under the direction of our board member Beth McNeil, Principal Jeff Hall and a committed group of male volunteers we have already seen great strides and positive feedback from this historic school. September 15, 2015 Rothenburg School, also of Cincinnati was added. Principal Amber Simpson is the school leader and is committed to the success of the program.
In our efforts to serve nationally, it was determined by our Board of Directors that a new name be adapted. As of October 15, 2015, Real Men Read Bronzeville will become known as “Leading with Literacy”. We will continue to build scholars “One Book At A Time