In an era where technology often takes center stage, Willayja Williams, a second-year healthcare management scholar at Florida A&M University, created a meaningful, impactful initiative to instill the joys of reading and confidence in young children.
As a high school student and emerging author, Williams founded her Read Aloud Program during the pandemic, and its impact has only grown. From the simple act of reading “The Cat in the Hat” over Zoom to her younger siblings, the program has snowballed into a community effort reaching out to daycare centers, after-school programs and even church groups.
“The smiles and excitement on the kids’ faces kept me going,” Williams said. “There’s this great feeling that comes with seeing young kids hanging on to each word, engaging with the stories… That’s when I knew I wanted to give all children the joy of reading,” she continued.
In the Read Aloud Program, Williams joins other volunteers in reading stories appropriate for the age group. She brings characters to life with expressive voices and animated gestures, keeping the children spellbound.
After each reading session, the children are encouraged to discuss the story to develop critical thinking and build confidence. As a special closing touch, each child gets to pick one book out of a selection to take home and start their own libraries, which is made possible through donations by friends, family and community partners.
Williams’ efforts in bringing literacy to children from all walks of life, especially those who may have never had books at home, have earned her the support of her local community. According to Robert Flaggs, assistant director of the Hallandale Beach Police Athletic League, the Read Aloud Program has instilled a love for reading in many children in Hallandale Beach, where many families never get to visit libraries or bookstores. “Some kids would ask, ‘When is the book lady coming back?’” Flaggs said. “They were thrilled to get books of their own.”
The program has made a long-lasting impact on students’ relationship with reading. However, her program isn’t just about reading; it’s about positive representation, which she takes even further with her debut children’s book. “Growing up, I found it hard to find books where characters looked like me. So I thought, maybe I could write one,” she said. In her book, children of color can see themselves in relatable, uplifting stories.
The book touched grandma Connie Hawkins, who purchased it for her granddaughter, with its strong message and realistic characters. “The story is exactly what kids today need,” Hawkins said. “My granddaughter saw herself in Abby, the main character, right down to her hairstyle. The story has made her tough during the time when something goes wrong.”
This commitment to representation, empathy, and self-empowerment is at the heart of the Read Aloud Program. For Williams, the purpose of her book and her program are intertwined:
“I want children to enjoy stories that resonate with them, to see characters who look like them, and to believe in themselves. Through my book and Read Aloud, I’m showing kids that no matter their background, they have a voice and a story worth telling.”
She looks forward with the hope that the program could expand throughout Florida, involving high school and college students in a movement toward promoting literacy.
With events planned across Leon, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the Read Aloud Program continues to reach new corners to spread the joy of reading. As Williams’s story unfolds, her passion for literacy and commitment to children’s self-esteem continue to inspire others around her, showing us once again that real change often begins with one voice sharing a simple story.