The importance of proficient reading skills is undoubtedly not being emphasized enough among underprivileged families and communities in the United States. There are still too many Americans today who fall short of the standards pertaining to their recommended level of reading ability. According to the 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reading test results show that too many people continue to read below their grade level. A staggering 65% of all fourth graders in the country scored below proficient. It is for this reason that former musician turned entrepreneur Leonard “Nostra” Denis established the New Beginning Foundation mandated to help children read better.
Unknown to many, 14% of the adult population in the United States cannot read, according to The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. This means that there are at least 32 million American adults who still cannot read. Nostra’s New Beginning Foundation is a non-profit organization that intends to help young people out of poverty through the liberating power of literacy. It also aims to train the youth and empower them to meet life’s challenges head-on without fear of getting rejected or criticized. For the foundation, self-empowerment through literature is a very important survival tool.
“We want to provide teens and young adults with skills that increase their verbal and math literacy and assist them in promoting their education through activities and experiences that help social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies. We believe that every child should be able to read and write so they can enjoy lifelong learning and empowerment,” Leonard explains.
Leonard “Nostra” Denis sympathizes with the sad plight of many young Americans today who are not getting enough guidance, resources, and assistance they need in order to master a very basic skill that can change the life of people. Being able to read has always been attributed to those who are schooled, and it has been proven time and time again by reading scholars that reading plays a major role in helping a child develop to become the best version of himself. As a young parent of three beautiful children who are all readers, Leonard “Nostra” Denis started wondering about the real condition of numerous problematic readers from around the country, and the results can be overwhelming.
Helping the community is not just a means to an end for Leonard “Nostra” Denis; it is his way of giving back, sharing one’s blessings, and being generous to those who need it the most. Additionally, he believes that paying it forward will go a long way for those who cannot even afford to buy reading materials that the children can practice on in the house. For him, helping young Black children is his way of making them see the value of education, how far a good education can take a person and the many benefits of being a good reader.
Leonard “Nostra” Denis has a podcast called Community Xchange, a platform where the entrepreneur interviews individuals who can shed light on so many issues involving the Black community today. Through the podcast, he hopes to encourage people to be kinder to one another regardless of the color of one’s skin.
Learn more about New Beginning Foundation by following its Instagram account for updates.
