Our Mission

The Believe Projects® inspires kids to become confident and competent readers before the end of third grade by using culturally responsive books, music, art, and media in spaces where they are free to relax, explore, and be fiercely and fully themselves.  

What Do We Know?

Statistics
What Do We Believe?
The Intimacy of Literacy®
What Will We Do?
Believe Literacy Labs
What Have We Done?
Progress

What Do We Know?

  • Literacy is the basis for all learning. (Annie E. Casey Foundation 2014)

  • Third grade reading determines success in school and in life. (Annie E. Casey Foundation 2016)

  • Ninety percent of all Black children in metropolitan St. Louis live in a St. Louis Promise Zone neighborhood. (St. Louis Promise Zone)

  • From 2014-2019 75% of Black third graders in metropolitan St. Louis annually failed in Reading, compared to 51% of all children in Missouri. (MO DESE)

  • From 2022-2023 81% of Black third graders in metropolitan St. Louis failed in Reading. (MO DESE)

  • Only 13% of picture books published by major book companies are written by Black authors. (Cooperative Children’s Book Center 2019)

0 %
Live in St.Louis Promise Zone Neighborhood
0%
Black Third Graders in metropolitan St. Louis Failed in Reading
0%
Picture books published by major book companies

What Do We Believe?

All children, particularly children of color must experience The Intimacy of Literacy® when learning how to read:

Interest

The images and the stories should reflect the children’s everyday lives and the people that look like them.

Confidence

The literacy learning experiences should encourage and build self-awareness, self-identity, love for self, and love for others.

Joy

The literacy learning experience must leave children feeling unbridled happiness and joy.

What Will We Do?

Primary focus on Prekindergarten through Grade 3.

  • 1,000 – 3,000 books in every lab.
  • 25 playtime pads loaded with e-books, literacy games, and music.
  • 25 Believe Build-A-Bear Buddies.
  • Culturally responsive home-style settings that elicit feelings of belonging.

We introduce children to literacy learning experiences that include authors, music artists, visual artists, comedians, and live theater.

Believe Literacy Labs

Professional Development

We provide teacher and staff professional development in The Intimacy of Literacy®.

Measuring Connections

We measure the connections between exposure to culturally responsive literacy learning experiences and reading proficiency.

Inspiring Regions

We inspire a region of supporters and stakeholders through literacy-oriented community events.

What Have We Done?

Progress since labs opened in 2019.

  • 10 Believe Literacy Labs Opened Between 2019 and 2023

  • 1 Believe Preschool literacy lab in 2023.

  • 3,000 Believers in ten literacy labs.

  • 30 Literacy arts experiences (authors, theater, visual, and musical artists).

  • 30,000 copies of Black children’s picture books and young adult literature given to St. Louis’ children to build home libraries.

  • 80% of Believe students showing progress in learning how to read!

Believe Literacy Lab Openings

View our most recent Believe Literacy Lab Openings!

  • Believe 10 @ Woodland Elementary School

    Woodland Elementary School, The School District of University City 6761 Bartmer Ave., University City, MO. 63130

  • Believe 9 @ Barbara C Jordan Elementary

    Pershing Elementary School, The School District of University City 6761 Bartmer Ave., University City, MO. 63130

  • Believe 8 @ Froebel Literacy Academy

    Froebel Literacy Academy, Jennings School District, 2559 Dorwood Drive, Jennings, MO 63136