Our nation’s schools are in crisis, more than ever before. The stats are staggering with a disparate divide amongst various races for reading proficiency levels, which directly impacts academic performance and limits future opportunities.
The kickoff event for Project LIT featured a panel discussion that included authors, educators, community members, and college students. Participants pictured include: Stephen Poole, Jazkira Combs, and Daniel McCowan.
Nationwide — Project Still I Rise is dedicated to empowering youth by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge for their future – including literacy, which serves as a foundation for academic success, career advancement, and self-sufficiency. Despite some progress made nationally, reading proficiency among Black students still falls short. If trends continue, it will directly impact Black students’ academic performance and limit their future opportunities.
According to data from the 2024 NAEP, only:
• 12% of Black 4th graders and 38% of 8th graders scored at or above proficiency
• 59% of Asian 8th graders and 49% of Asian 4th graders achieved this standard
• 57% of White 8th graders and 56% of White 4th graders also performed at or above proficient levels.
This summer, Project Still I Rise launched one of its newest initiatives, Project LIT. This initiative takes a comprehensive and collaborative approach to inspiring a passion for literacy and promotes academic success by providing essential support to educators. Project LIT focuses on four main areas of literacy: Reading Literacy, Financial Literacy, STEM Literacy, and Community Sustainability.
The panel discussion provided an opportunity for the greater community to listen, learn, and gain insights into how they can further support literacy efforts beyond the classroom. “We are laser-focused on key problems and issues experienced in the community to strategically align with community changemakers to build on existing initiatives,” said Project Still I Rise’s Director, Kevin Mondy, Sr.
Another crucial point discussed – the lack of access to culturally relevant books and reading materials for students, as well as the need for books to take home to build personal libraries. While having access to technology is often desired, college students on the panel expressed a preference for holding physical books. They noted that it is easier to return to a specific page in a book than to locate a moment in an audiobook.
Moderator James Adams asked Jazkira Combs, a PSIR alum now working as an educator, “What does being ready to read mean for your kindergarten class?” Her response highlighted that learning to read can be very challenging for some students. However, being “ready to read” means her students come to class feeling good about themselves, feeling loved, and receiving nutritional support.
The day concluded with Project Still I Rise awarding seven community-based literacy grants to educators, aimed at enhancing literacy-focused projects for the upcoming school year.
About Project Still I Rise
Project Still I Rise (PSIR), a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, has served the Dallas community and beyond for over twenty years — empowering youth in underserved communities with the tools to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. PSIR’s signature programs include the Urban STEM Initiative, National Youth Chamber of Commerce, PSIR’s Books and Banking, Urban Scholars, and more. For more information regarding the organization and its program offerings, please contact their headquarters at 972-546-0977 or visit PSIR.org
About Urban Media Group of Texas
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