We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chrishawndra Matthews a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chrishawndra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
I founded Literacy in the H.O.O.D. (Helping Out Our Disenfranchised) in 2017. I was frustrated by my struggle to find adequate reading and language programs for my then 3- year old son Derrick. I knew other parents had to share the same frustration as I did. There was nowhere in the inner city where I could find programs for my son, I always had to drive to the suburbs. So I decided to start this non-profit. My goal is to build a culture of reading in Cleveland’s underserved neighborhoods.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am the Founder & Executive Director of Literacy in the H.O.O.D. (Helping Out Our Disenfranchised) and am determined to bring books to Cleveland’s underserved neighborhoods. In the community, they call me “Shawn Literacy,” I strive to be a one-person literacy movement, doing all I can to empower parents and give them the tools they need to create a reading-friendly environment at home. I’m always looking for opportunities to catch the attention of families and children: My accomplishments include creating a children’s reading area in an East Cleveland medical clinic waiting room and establishing a partnership with The Urban Barber Association to give away haircuts and books. My works netted national media attention, from Good Morning America and CNN to the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am the 2020 winner of The Center for Community Solutions’ Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award and her hard work enabled Literacy In The H.O.O.D to win the NASW Ohio Statewide 2020 Agency of The Year.
Have you ever had to pivot?
COVID caused us to do things differently for a couple of years. However, during that time, our work was more important than ever. COVID was causing the kids who needed the most to be left behind and they were getting behind with their reading skills. We did our best to fill in the gap to make sure those children had access to books. I understand the importance of children having books in the home and how it impacts their reading skills.
How’d you meet your business partner?
We are a small non-profit we are grateful for all of our volunteers and supporters they are really the heart of our organization. There is only one other employee and I appreciate all of her help and dedication to Literacy InThe H.O.O.D.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LiteracyInTheHOOD.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literacynhood
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiteracyNHood
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/literacynhood/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiteracyNHood
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUNd3sawAb_-ShS0WQh47A