iRead Educational Center

I've reimagined The Whole School, Whole Child, and Whole Community ideology with our award-winning culturally-responsive literacy development programming, instruction, and ongoing support. For years, I've been able to meet the community's needs by asking FIRST what's needed. With clear and solid grounds, I've responded to those needs with mobile programming and have served more than 6,000 Imagireaders thus far. 

In the last two years, I've lost footing due to a lack of funding and began focusing on creating new literacy development products, preparing for the supply chain to reach more children globally. 

Today, I am faced with meeting an ever greater need which is why I am pivoting the business and will provide value-created childcare solutions that serve learners based on unique physical, mental, and educational needs while compensating staff with MORE than a livable wage by providing a proprietary communication system that invites the community-at-large to invest in quality educational experiences continuously. 

The Tech-A dynamic LCMS system that faces several audiences. 

The Brick and Mortar-A community-based childcare program that offers customized instruction and preferences based on a unique assesment. 

The products-Age-appropriate literacy development products and subscription kits that offer literacy development programming and value-created learning experiences. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch... 

School-aged children and their communities, Childcare workers and their communities, Local and independent bookstores, educational and toy stores, Homeschooling families, and Educators and Paraprofessionals. 

We all know that underserved is a loaded concept these days. I believe anyone without the opportunity to actualize healthily is underserved. @Imagiread, I've always done the work to ensure that I create safe environments for our communities to come together and be served according to their need. Despite the challenges, Imagiread's programs have been recognized and awarded by The Department of Education, The Mayor's Office (City of Houston) and The Houston Public Library System. 

Pivoting into childcare requires so much more, and I'm ready to answer the call. I cannot and will not do so without a sound and healthy team that I can pay more than a livable wage while increasing competency and capacity with value-created training and development opportunities. I believe that in doing so, we as a community can transform communities one learning center at a time and have the vision to build and sustain five by 2025 to dramatically increase impact. 

School-aged children who might be struggling and/or reluctant to read. 

Families and communities that struggle with literacy development. 

Educators that struggle to create and sustain science-based learning practices

Childcare workers who love the industry but can't afford housing, transportation and other necessities. 

Local and independent bookstores that know the community is key and understand the golden thread between all of us is literacy, language, and the art of communication.

I don't have a team. That's the first thing. I've been pitching and pitching and pitching for a team and have yet to be able to raise enough capital to expand. I'm exhausted from having to do this work alone and would like very much to have the capital and mentorship to onboard and sustain a team to expand the business, and it's five-year plan. 

I've "worked" as a Cultural Communications Consultant and Literacy Advocate for years. I understand the cultural nuances that come with education and programming implementation and execution. @Imagiread, I've NEVER done anything until I develop and facilitate a community-based participatory research project that informs the need. While it's been promising, it leaves a bigger challenge to resolve. "You can't fix it if you can't name it" and for most of the community, they don't know what they don't know. 

Tech has vastly improved and while much of it could be useful to implement, I need to be able to slow all the way down, take and value the input of mentors and execute according to the needs the community has conveyed. 

All in all, I'd say it's me because I'm still here-tirelessly advocating for affordable housing, quality education, food security, environmental justice, holistic healthcare and so much more. This isn't a one-off solution, it's bigger than that and as the grandchild of indigenous educators, I MUST DO THIS WORK WELL.  

I was fortunate to attend the MIT Solve convention hosted here by Build in Tulsa and it was life changing!!!!!! The community was AH MAZE ING. The activities were everything. The panels, and breakouts JUST AMAZING! I'm still in awe of how incredible it was and wear my SOLVE beanie regularly. Talk about proud! I had no idea SOLVE was a thing prior to! 

I truly and earnestly believe that "this work" should be done with like-minded creators who are ethically engaged in transforming what my faith refers to as "karma into mission". I mean, come on, it's MIT and SOLVE has some phenom folks in the driver's chair. I feel as if I can contribute to such a dynamic group by serving however the team sees fit and benefiting from being around folks who are solving global challenges. 

I've owned and operated Imagiread since 2011 and have invested time, money, energy, sweat and tears from day one. 

In looking at more significant impact, there are several factors to note. First up, the root of education must be value-created for EVERYONE. That means building the solution on a tailored ethics of care model that resounds diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging NATURALLY and not because it's "a thing". Secondly, we must account for the educators who will facilitate. As mental health awareness has been in the limelight lately (it's been for BIPOC folks forever), we must rethink psychoanalysis and how such is disseminated. It's how we will foster true capacity and competency building. In line with health and wellness, we MUST account for healthy food, function, and fitness regimens that are culturally informed and serve all abilities as part of Whole Child, Whole Community educational practices. 

It WILL change the market when it's done right. When we raise the bar and petition for quality educational experiences, we can transform lives and eradicate poverty! 

Fast-track into the supply chain (presently working on), launch and open five educational centers by 2025 and expand into global contained communities with agricultural and water stewardship focus as restorative justice. 

I've been developing surveys and research pilots to help me understand Imagiread's impact. I have evaluated and sifted the data on my own. While much of it looks promising, I'd be remiss if I wasn't truthful and say I need to learn to gauge more progress. 

Imagiread is a learning institute that promotes literacy development and academic integrity in young children. To achieve this goal, the company has developed a unique approach that uses innovative technologies, storytelling techniques, and interactive learning experiences to engage community members in literacy development programming.

The theory of change for Imagiread is based on the following assumptions:

Assumption 1: Early exposure to quality culturally responsive literacy development programming and instruction promotes a lifelong love of learning and academic integrity.

Assumption 2: Interactive and engaging culturally responsive learning experiences can enhance everyone's to read and learn.

Assumption 3: Innovative technologies and storytelling techniques can be effective tools to create culturally responsive interactive and engaging learning experiences.

Based on these assumptions, Imagiread's theory of change is as follows:

Step 1: Continuously co-create high-quality, culturally responsive literacy development experiences, programs, and materials for young children and their communities.

Imagiread's team will continue to engage the community in educational needs assessments and co-create a wide range of literacy materials and programs, including e-books, audiobooks, interactive games, and learning activities to meet the needs of all capacities and abilities. These materials will be designed to be engaging, interactive, and age-appropriate, focusing on promoting literacy, language and communications skills, preparing communities for #thefutureofeducation and #thefutureofwork. 

Step 2: Disseminate materials and programs to children, parents, and educators.

Imagiread will disseminate its reading and literacy materials and programs through various channels, including schools, libraries, local and independent bookstores as well as a variety of online platforms. The company will also collaborate with educators, parents, and community organizations to promote its materials and programs.

Step 3: Evaluate and refine materials and programs based on feedback and data.

Imagiread will gather feedback and data on its materials and programs through user surveys, focus groups, and other evaluation methods. The company will use this information to refine its materials and programs to ensure they are effective and meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Step 4: Monitor outcomes and impact.

Imagiread will monitor the outcomes and impact of its materials and programs through various measures, including cultured psychoanalysis,  "science of reading" levels, academic performance, and user satisfaction. The company will use this information to assess its progress and make any necessary adjustments to its approach.

Overall, Imagiread's theory of change is focused on creating high-quality literacy development programming, instruction, and ongoing support that promote lifelong learning and academic integrity in the community at large. Through its innovative approach, the company aims to foster the need for culturally authentic literacy, language, and communication programming that fosters a passion for learning, benefitting communities globally. 

The solution I am presently working on will combine Machine Learning with VR/AR solutions to interactive learning experiences despite socioeconomic status and/or lack of literacy skills. As a SAAS, the programming features user-assistive tech that intuitively supports the user and helps them navigate the "science of reading" in a personal and constructive way to their life's purpose. 

Based on a unique system that I developed as a Cultural Communications Consultant, Imagiread's value-statement includes the spatial relationship between time and belonging, rejecting performance-based practices and ushering safe, quality learning experiences despite gender, race, ability, class, socioeconomic and otherwise. We value humans and seek to eradicate poverty with access to quality culturally responsive educational experiences.  

1. Customer Segments:

• Parents of young children aged 4-12
• Primary schools and early learning centers
• Public libraries and homeschooling programs 
• Non-profit organizations focused on early childhood development

1. Value Proposition:

• Early childhood literacy education through the use of interactive  storybooks, adventure kits and child care centers 
• Access to a diverse range of culturally relevant and inclusive stories
• Tools and resources for parents and educators to facilitate learning and engagement
• Foundational elements for building a love for reading and developing critical thinking skills and academic integrity

1. Channels:

• Website and online store
• Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Email newsletters and promotions
• Partnership with schools, libraries, and non-profit organizations
• Eventually brick and mortar
• SAAS/LCMS

1. Customer Relationships:

• Personalized recommendations and support through email and social media
• Regular engagement and updates through email newsletters and social media
• In-person workshops and events for parents, educators, and community organizers

1. Revenue Streams:

• Sales of Adventure Kits!
• Subscriptions to premium content and resources
• Fees for in-person childcare, workshops, and events

1. Key Resources:

• Interactive materials
• Online platform for content delivery and sales
• Partnerships with schools, libraries, and non-profit organizations
• Team of content creators, educators, and community-based customer support staff

1. Key Activities:

• Developing and curating age-appropriate Activity Kits!
• Marketing and promoting products and services
• Engaging with customers through email, social media, and in-person events
• Building and maintaining partnerships with schools, libraries, and non-profit organizations

1. Key Partnerships:

• Schools and early learning centers for distribution and promotion
• Public libraries for access to a wide range of customers
• Non-profit organizations focused on early childhood development for collaboration and support
• Content creators and educators for product development and curation

1. Cost Structure:

• Product development and curation costs
• Marketing and promotional costs
• Staff salaries and benefits
• Website and platform maintenance and development costs
• Costs associated with in-person workshops and events

Move swiftly into the supply chain (we just started an Amazon account despite not wanting to for years)

Launch and open our child care centers five in five years 

Develop our SAAS/LCMS and eventually segue into AR/VR for global expansion

Applying for grants and funding hasn't been the best use of my time. Denial after denial gets frustrating at a point, so I am pivoting the business and focusing on the aforementioned to fund expansion. 

Amber Grant (Women's Net) recipients $1500 (one of the very first recipients back in 2016)

Save the Children Houston Hurricane Recovery Grant-$5,000

City of Houston Arts Alliance-$1500 

OST/South Union Health Improvement Partnership/Neighborhood Recovery Community Development Corp-$2500

Tulsa Remote-$10,000 relocation grant 

Sky's The Limit-$2,500 Friends and Family Grant 

Build in Tulsa-$2,500