Literacy to Liberation
Transforming Classrooms for Racial Equity


Racial inequity deepens when we fail to teach Black
and Latinx students to read
CLI is normalizing anti-racist pedagogy at the source

The Value of High-Quality Books

Our New Mission:
Literacy to Liberation

A Pathway to Liberation
Literacy, A Practice of Justice. A Practice of Joy.
Our goal is that Black and Latinx children learn to read as a powerful act of identity, agency, and cultural joy.


Children’s Literacy Initiative is built for inclusive success.
CLI honed its validated, evidence-based approach through 30 plus years of innovation and service, improving teacher practice and Black and Latinx children's literacy outcomes. Our staff and board reflect diversity and inclusivity, and we are deeply committed to becoming an anti-racist organization.

CLI Staff Leadership and Board are people of color

With your investment, we can amplify reading outcomes for Black and Latinx children. Philanthropic investments can advance change, but some changes can change everything.

How Your Investment Will Change Everything
Your investment will enable CLI and its partners to normalize anti-racist, culturally sustaining early literacy instruction and catalyze generational impact at the onset of every Black and Latinx child's literacy journey.
Make a gift. Empower a child.
Children deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams, and learning to read is a critical step in that journey. Help us provide Black and Latinx children the high-quality & culturally sustaining literacy instruction they deserve.

Together, transforming education
Join a national coalition of educators, teachers, advocates, and supporters today. Sign up today, and ensure you stay up-to-date with the latest news, impact reports, donor events, and much more.

Literacy is the very foundation of all learning and the pathway to liberation for every human being. Learn more about our pathway to liberation.
