The Currys Plan To Install 150 Libraries In Oakland To Boost The Literacy Rate For Black And Latinx Youth

Photo Credit: Arturo Holmes

By Ngozi Nwanji, AfroTech

Stephen and Ayesha Curry are taking action to increase the literacy rate for children through their Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.

ABC7 reports that the Currys have unveiled the first of 150 Little Town Libraries that will be spread out across Oakland, CA — with an aim to provide 30,000 books to the youth. The libraries are chosen by partners in the community such as Oakland Literacy Coalition, Oakland Public Library, and Black Cultural Zone. First up for the installments was Franklin Elementary.

The power couple’s foundation — launched in 2019 — is all about providing kids and families in Oakland, the Bay Area, and across the U.S. with the resources necessary to excel. Their latest initiative is working to combat the statistic of one in three children reading at grade level by the end of third grade in addition to the low levels of Black and Latinx elementary students reading at grade level. According to the outlet, “only 15.4% of Black and 12.5% of Latino/a elementary students are reading at grade level.”

“From kindergarten through third grade, making sure you are reading at your grade level by the time you get to third grade determines your educational future,” said Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation co-founder Ayesha Curry, according to ABC7. “So for us, turning those numbers around is really, really important.”

Franklin Elementary

The outlet shares that Franklin Elementary is a “special spot” for Stephen and Ayesha. It marks the first of 150 Little Town Libraries as well as in-person events making a comeback.

“Being back here in person, a little more energy and bringing these Little Town Libraries here, this being the first one, hopefully reflects our commitment to Oakland and our commitment to the next generation of kids and continuing to find ways to impact them and giving them the proper resources and fun, that’s what it’s about,” said Stephen.

Read the full article here. SOURCE: AfroTech