Recently, HYPE Freedom School expanded our Read in Color program to Houston, Texas with an event to celebrate the launch. HYPE Freedom School is a member of the Spring 2025 Read in Color cohort.
HYPE Freedom School, Inc. empowers underserved communities by fostering educational opportunities and personal development through culturally responsive, literacy-based programming and community engagement. Serving K-12 scholars in Houston’s Sunnyside, South Park, and other underserved areas, HYPE addresses systemic educational inequities and summer learning loss through high quality programs.
“My favorite experience was the read aloud portion where we got to introduce a new local black author and place our new Little Free Library at that location,” said Marquita Green of HYPE Freedom School. “We were able to connect with community members and potential partners that may be interested in volunteering to keep our libraries stocked and/or partners that may be interested in having a library of their own for their organization.”

The Read in Color initiative has launched in 25 U.S. cities to date, from New York and Washington, D.C. to Atlanta and Phoenix, with plans for even greater expansion this year. More than 250 Read in Color Little Free Libraries and 50,000+ diverse books celebrating Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other important voices have been shared so far. Learn more and sign the Read in Color pledge!
