Area Intentional Focus

 

I READ, YOU READ, WE READ TOGETHER​

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In the wake of COVID-19, the urgency to accelerate literacy development for children of color has never been more critical. According to the New York Times, nearly two-thirds of American students are not reading at grade level—and those from historically marginalized communities have been disproportionately impacted. Pandemic-era disruptions deepened pre-existing disparities, leaving many children—especially those from low-income families—up to half a year behind in reading instruction.

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Our Focus

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The Southern Area is answering this crisis with a targeted, compassionate response:
We are intensifying our efforts to close the reading achievement gap by focusing on elementary-aged children, specifically third through fifth graders whose foundational learning years were most affected.

Chapters are encouraged to continue their valuable work across all grade levels, but this strategic shift underscores the critical window for reading intervention in upper elementary grades—where literacy skills transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

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Strategic Alignment with National Initiatives

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This area-wide focus is aligned with the LINKED UP National Mentoring Initiative, reinforcing the power of mentorship in driving academic and personal success. Through culturally responsive reading programs, one-on-one literacy support, and community-based initiatives, our members will walk alongside students as trusted literacy champions.

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Links Love HBCUs – “Get in the Game”

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This exciting initiative energizes our commitment to HBCU awareness and access. “Get in the Game” encourages members to be intentional and strategic about their support of Historically Black and minority-serving institutions and motivates young people to see themselves as future scholars by exploring HBCU culture through:

• college fairs, tours, and alumni panels

• application and scholarship guidance

• engagement with HBCU student life

• philanthropic support

 

We help students not just dream about college—but prepare for it.

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STEM Ready

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Building on our mission to diversify the STEM pipeline, STEM Ready prepares youth for success in science, technology, engineering, and math. The program nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation through:

• hands-on experiments and design challenges

• partnerships with HBCU STEM programs

• guest speakers and career exploration

 

NSBE Jr. Partnerships

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Through partnerships with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE Jr.), our chapters extend the impact of STEM education even further—connecting youth to national networks of support, competition, and mentorship. Students become part of a legacy of Black excellence in engineering and tech.

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The Southern Area’s Intentional Focus reflects our deep investment in the academic restoration and future-readiness of Black youth. Whether through literacy, STEM access, or college preparation, we are building systems of support that empower the next generation to rise—and read—together.

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