Children's Literacy Initiative

Founded in Philadelphia in 1988, Children's Literacy Initiative (CLI) is a national 501c3 working to advance equity in public education in the U.S. by ensuring Black and Latinx children achieve reading success by the end of third grade. CLI accomplishes this through job-embedded coaching and professional development, seminars, and workshops, and providing the books and materials teachers and children need along their early literacy journeys. Learning to read has significance beyond building skills - it is an act of liberation. By helping educators learn and apply high-impact, culturally sustaining instructional strategies and nurturing dynamic professional learning communities, CLI is building lasting capacity in teachers and principals to advance equity in education.