Race, Equity, and Inclusion (REI)

Using the power of books for positive impact and change.

Our Commitment
  1. Provide diverse books and reading resources to under-served Black and Brown children to provide the fundamental building blocks that empower all children the opportunity to reach their potential and to see themselves and a reflection of their experiences in the books they read.
  2. Offer a breadth and depth of books to children nationwide, ensuring every child sees a reflection of others, diverse views and experiences to open up their world and provide an opportunity for books to be platforms for self-awareness, growth, empathy and tolerance.
  3. Provide meaningful resources for parents and caregivers, community members and educators to encourage honest, sensitive discussions about race, justice, and inclusion and harness the power of reading to drive systemic change.

REI National Advisory Board (NAB)

RIF is honored to be guided in our work by a National Advisory Board comprised of diverse voices and subject matter experts.
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Charnaie Gordon

Diversity & Inclusion Expert, Here Wee Read

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Dr. Violet Harris

Professor Emerita, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Nicole Johnson

Owner, Extraordinary Changes

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Carmen Rubin

Author; Founder, One Blue Village; Founder & President, Peppermint Candy Publishing

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Don Tate

Author & Illustrator

State-by-State Literacy Performance

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A map of the US highlighting literacy data for all states. Iowa is highlighted with 67% of 4th grade students found to not be reading at proficient level.

Explore RIF’s state-by-state literacy map that offers a snapshot of fourth-grade reading performance based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), including a breakdown by demographics. We must work harder to reduce the gap in reading performance among minority student populations. Reading is a right not a privilege, and together we must ensure that every child has books and resources to learn to read and succeed.

We are proud to introduce our Race, Equity, and Inclusion Center. This center provides a collection of resources to support educators and families assess the diversity in their current book collections and identify diverse books to add as well as offers tools and resources for supporting children with developing positive social identities and building literacy skills. Visit the REI Center