From Boardrooms to Bookshelves

When the smart kids didn't raise their hand at the teacher's request to spell a word, my hand slowly went up. This still surprises me because as a child, I hardly spoke, anywhere. But, I correctly spelled the word “advantageous” and was moved from the "slow" to the "smart" side of the room.

The teacher sent me home with a note to my father. That was nice. But what I remember most about that day is falling in love with words. They made me believe I could do whatever I put my mind to, (no matter that I was an eight year old motherless girl headed into settings where I would endure 8 out of 10 trauma-tracked adverse childhood experiences). Even still, that day I raised my hand, rooted the courage, confidence, and belief I'd need to withstand every looming obstacle I'd face.

The thorny road...

My journey started as a little girl navigating a tough home life. The library became my reprieve. Hanging out with books kept me safe, sane and submerged in words that prepared me for a world of opportunities.

Those early and most difficult experiences ignited my lifelong mission to ensure every child (especially in underserved communities), is equipped to learn. So even as I set forth into a business career, my calling for child literacy went with me.

Before fully settling in as a literacy advocate, I worked as a CPA and Senior Financial Manager, successfully leading multi-million dollar financial projects, served on corporate executive boards, won leadership awards, travelled internationally to implement technology projects, and authored many articles and books.

Having a solid command of language in all of its forms drives the abilities to think critically, reason, and problem solve - all of which underscore academic, career, and life, success. I believe every child should be availed ample opportunities to discover their inherent intelligence, abilities, and talents.

I founded Read 2 Exceed to fuse technology, learning development, and leadership to create the highest quality books, learning material, and reading support services, so that children everywhere beam with knowing they are born for greatness and good works.

I invite you to join me on this mission too...

This is one of my favorite childhood pictures. It is the last birthday I'd have with my mother. The cake was delicious though most of it ended up on me and my dad after the frosting food fight we'd had.

Literacy

Raising my two daughters has been one of my life's greatest privileges and joys. It’s my love of God, family and that unforgettable third-grade day that fuel my passion to help others, especially children, discover the power of words and reading.

Reading Makes a World of Difference

  • A child who reads well has the basis for analytical thinking.

  • A child who cannot read may feel like an outsider, and that they do not belong. 

  • Children who read imagine, dream, have hope, and plan for a bright future.