Blog
Our blog is like a choose-your-own-adventure book, with a great Lead to Read KC story on every page. Read recent posts and explore an archive dating back to 2012.
Literacy Fueled by Fraternity
When Albert Ray first heard about Lead to Read KC, it wasn’t just another volunteer opportunity—it was a call to action. Working at Populous, Ray saw colleagues volunteering as reading mentors at Citizens of the World Charter School and was immediately intrigued. “I...
From Brotherhood to Books
For more than a century, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Beta Lambda Chapter, has been a leader in community service, mentorship, and education in Kansas City. The local chapter, established in January 1919, continues that legacy through programs that uplift and empower...
Happy Birthday to Us, Happy Birthday to Us…
This month, Lead to Read KC turns 14! That means 14 years of empowering young readers, building community partnerships, and working toward a future where literacy is a right, not a privilege. What started as a small group of volunteers has grown into a movement, with...
Small Commitment with Huge Returns
As Lead to Read KC continues to spotlight our community and corporate partners, this month we feature the infrastructure design firm HNTB. We asked Dan Ferguson and Gabe Olsen, two of our Reading Mentors at Crossroads Academy Quality Hill, to tell us about their...
It’s Just Plain Fun!
Gabe Olsen, from HNTB, has been a Reading Mentor since 2018 and says "I learned over the first couple of years that even on days when I’m busy and stressed, I'm so glad that I took the break to go meet with my kiddo 100% of the time," says Olsen. "It's just plain...