Meet Our 2026 Read in Color Cohort

A to Z Learning Club — Nashville, TN

Robin Griffin, Executive Director

Robin Griffin is a two-time HBCU graduate with a deep love for storytelling and representation. What began as the hashtag #AtoZLearningClub, promoting culturally affirming and diverse children’s books through images of her twin boys, became a literacy arts nonprofit in 2023. Founded by Robin, AtoZ Learning Club builds confidence, connection, and creativity through literacy, storytelling, and community-centered programming.

Del Norte County Library District — Crescent City, CA

Beth Quetschke, Library Director

Del Norte County is a spread out rural community in Northern California. Our library started as a volunteer organization in 1906 and is the main source of books for our community. Along with our literacy program we work to provide equitable access to cultural, intellectual, and informational resources. The Little Free Library program allows us to provide materials that our community can take with them to build their home libraries even if they cannot get to the library. The Read in Color cohort is great for our community because it will provide access to mirror and window books that let our community expand their experience and understanding of others through story.

I See My Baby — Bainbridge, GA

Alicia Hurtt, Executive Director

I See My Baby Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women, families, and children through holistic wellness, education, and empowerment programs. We serve communities that are often under-resourced, providing access to prenatal and postpartum support, literacy initiatives, and educational programming that nurtures confidence, self-love, and cultural awareness. We are thrilled to join the Read in Color Program cohort to expand our Little Free Library initiative, bringing diverse and representative books directly to the children and families in our community. By promoting literacy and cultural connection, we hope to inspire a lifelong love of reading while celebrating diverse stories and voices.

MelB Alliance — Compton, CA

Christalyn Baker, Founder

MelB Alliance is a community organization rooted in Compton, California, dedicated to advancing equity through youth development, workforce readiness, and community empowerment. Through our Books Open New Worlds literacy initiative, we work to increase access to diverse, high-quality books for children and families while fostering a love of reading at an early age. Our community includes many students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who have limited access to books that reflect their identities and lived experiences. We are excited to participate in the Read in Color cohort to expand culturally affirming literacy resources, install more Little Free Libraries, and ensure children see themselves represented in the stories they read. 

The REAL Program — Lynn, MA

Jan Plourde, Executive Director

The REAL Program is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013. The mission of The REAL Program, Inc. is to improve and strengthen literacy, starting in Lynn, MA, as a model for success. By providing access to books, educational programs, and vital resources, we empower children, families, and communities to build brighter futures through literacy.

United Way of Yellowstone County — Billings, MT

Elizabeth Chappell, Community Impact & Grants Coordinator

United Way of Yellowstone County in Billings, Montana brings people together to strengthen our community and improve lives through building futures, community resiliency and nonprofit empowerment . We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and believe our differences make our community stronger. We strive to create welcoming programs, partnerships, and opportunities where everyone feels respected, valued, and heard. We are dedicated to supporting literacy across our community and are excited to be part of the Read in Color Cohort for 2026, helping ensure children have access to books that reflect their lives and experiences.