From our R2S family to yours, happy holidays! Check out our 2021 wrap up video above covering top highlights of our work since July.

As schools re-opened their doors these past few months, Read to Succeed jumped full force into bringing community-powered literacy programming to children, families, and community partners in Asheville and Buncombe County. Top highlights include:

• Providing one-to-one and small group tutors to over 55 elementary students in five schools and community partner after school programs (and adding more students each week)
• Training 100+ early childhood and afterschool staff at community partners in the fundamentals of how children learn to read and how to best support reading development
• Hosting Summer Reading Carnivals for 225+ families across Asheville, engaging numerous community partners, Black businesses, and celebrating reading with families
• Participating in six school and community-sponsored family events to bring books, literacy games, live readalouds, and learning supplies to local families
• Distributing 500+ culturally-responsive children’s books featuring Black protagonists to children and families around Asheville

Requests for more reading tutors and support for family reading events pour in from partners and schools every week. We cannot do this work without your generous support.

Celebrate the magic of reading this holiday season, and invest in community-powered literacy programming in Asheville and Buncombe County!

Click here to donate securely online or send a check to
Read to Succeed, P.O. Box 18652 Asheville, NC 28814.

We sincerely appreciate your support and wish you a holiday season of happiness and the joy of reading!

Are you looking for racial justice and equity trainings, workshops, or educational opportunities in Asheville and Buncombe County? Don't miss our go-to list below. And please leave a comment if you have others to add to the list!

Building Bridges
Building Bridges was founded in 1993 on a mission to dismantle racism by fostering relationships rooted in action and accountability. The organization provides programming opportunities for those who wish to strengthen their knowledge through a nine-week virtual session. Add your name to the interest list to be added to their next round of discussions and conversations.

Hood Huggers
Hood Huggers was founded on the guiding principles of restoring history and peace to neighborhoods in Asheville that are historically Black while providing education about the ongoing community-led work.

Hood Huggers offers walking tours ($25/adult; $15/youth ages 4-17) offered on Fridays and Saturdays with two options;

• Eagle St: Explore East End Valley Street by foot in Downtown Asheville and discover galleries and shops featuring art and merchandise from BIPOC creators and artisans, You'll also visit, The Block, Stephens Lee Community Center, YMI Cultural Center, and significant African American architecture.
• Burton St: Founded by E.W. Pearson in 1912, Burton Street is one of Asheville’s oldest African American neighborhoods. Learn more about the Burton Street community on this walking tour and visit the local Peace Garden and Community Center.

Driving tours: $39/adult; $20/youth, ages 4-17

• Offered on Fridays and Saturdays, driving from Burton St Community, Downtown, and East End Valley.

YWCA Racial Justice Workshops
The YWCA in Asheville took their Racial Justice Workshop for staff and opened it to the public so any community member interested in bettering their understanding of racism and racial justice can attend. This three-part workshop helps familiarize participants with the language in racial justice to better understand how racism affects everyday life. It also introduces the work of the YWCA and explores the history of injustice in the United States. Sign Up for the January Workshop series here.

YMI Cultural Center
As a landmark on the Register of Historic Places, the YMICC opened its doors in 1893 as a center for Black life in Asheville. Ever since, they have been on a mission to promote cultural preservation and uplift Black community members and Black excellence. Learn more on their website for tours, rentable space, monthly art installations, and more.

Racial Equity Institute (REI)
REI is an alliance of institutional leaders, organizers, and trainers devoted to creating equitable systems and organizations. They offer trainings that equip organizations and individuals with knowledge, tools, and skills to challenge patterns of power and address upstream systems-change barriers. REI trainings span multiple "phases" and are offered both in-person and virtually nationwide. Check out their schedule for 2022 here to register.