Literacy Workgroup & Action Teams

We organized three public stakeholder groups focused on producing actionable recommendations aimed at improving literacy outcomes for specific groups of young people. These stakeholders worked to address the unique needs and challenges of each group, amplifying Baltimore’s existing assets while identifying the gaps that must be addressed for young people in Baltimore. We are deeply appreciative of the Literacy Workgroup and Action Teams for their support and dedication to this effort.

Values & Ways of Working

  • Centering Community Voice: We are committed to listening to what the community and our constituents are telling us. We keep students at the center of and participants in all discussions, decisions, and planning

  • Equity + Anti-Racism: Our work will disrupt the status quo and systemically racist systems. We recognize that to be anti-racist we must reflect on our own internal biases and consistently ask if there are any unintended consequences to the work.

  • Focus/Intention: We are committed to the process, to the people, and to the result.

  • Creativity: Systems are broken and this work will require us to be flexible, resourceful, and open to new ideas to improve them.

  • Belonging: We respect fellow Action Team members and their perspectives and are intentional in considering underrepresented populations, such as newcomer youth, English language learners, and youth with disabilities.

14-24 Literacy Workgroup Members

Co-Chairs: Dr. Jay Perman, University System of Maryland + Dr. Sonja Santelises, Baltimore City Public Schools

 

  • Jarrod Bolte, ImprovingED

  • Kyair Butts, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Dante DeTablan, United Way of Central Maryland

  • Tisha Edwards, Mayor's Office of Children and Family Success

  • Bob Embry, Abell Foundation

  • Jada Gardner, Grads2Careers Youth Leader

  • Simone Gibson, Morgan State University

  • Joni Holifield, HeartSmiles

  • Talib Horne, Annie E. Casey Foundation

  • Janise Lane, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Debra McCurdy, Baltimore City Community College

  • Cassie Motz, CollegeBound

  • Jason Perkins-Cohen, Mayor's Office of Employment Development

  • Rachel Pfeifer, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Omani Placide, Grads2Careers Alumnus

  • Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

  • Roger Schulman, Fund for Educational Excellence

  • Diamond Spruill, Grads2Careers Alumna

  • Tanya Terrell, BGE/Exelon

  • Danielle Torain, Open Society Institute-Baltimore

  • Laura Weeldryer, Maryland Family Network

  • Caryn York, Job Opportunities Task Force

 
 

Action Team for Current High-School Students

Co-Chairs: Janise Lane, Baltimore City Public Schools + Dr. Rachel Pfeifer, Baltimore City Public Schools

 
 

  • Federico Adams, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Rachel Donegan, Promise Heights

  • Ernest Dorsey, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development

  • Lea Ferguson, Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success

  • Amy Gross, France-Merrick Foundation

  • LaQuisha Hall, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Amanda Inns, Johns Hopkins University Center for Research and Reform in Education

  • Sydney Johnson, HeartSmiles and Current High School Student

  • Melissa Loftus, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Joseph Manko, Abell Foundation

  • Donte Matthews, HeartSmiles and Current High School Student

  • Heather Naviasky, Y in Central Maryland

  • Albert Passarella, Johns Hopkins University School of Education

  • Morgan Prioleau. Grads2Careers and HeartSmiles

  • Rinata Tanks, Baltimore City Public Schools

  • Alexandria Warrick Adams, Elev8 Baltimore

  • Karen Webber, Open Society Institute-Baltimore

  • Olufunmike Woods, DewMore Baltimore

 
 

Action Team for African-American Women 16-24

Co-Chairs: Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, CareFirst + Caryn York, Job Opportunities Task Force

 
 

  • Stephanie Amponsah, Dream Big

  • Andria Cole, A Revolutionary Summer

  • Sara Cooper, Annie E. Casey Foundation

  • Diane Wallace-Booker, US Dream Academy

  • Brittany Dorsey, BHB Upton/Druid Heights

  • Ateira Griffin, Leaders for Educational Equity, Echoing Green

  • Danista Hunte, Child First Authority

  • Yolanda Jenkins, Family League of Baltimore

  • Angelique Jessup, Grade Level Reading Coalition

  • Shantay McKinily, University of Maryland School of Social Work

  • Gena O’Keefe, Annie. E. Casey Foundation

  • Nancy Pelton, Family Tree

  • Leah Saal, Loyola University

  • Lynn Selby, Caroline Center

  • Ronnea Shaw, University of Maryland School of Social Work

  • Angel St. Jean, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development

  • Stacey Stephens, University of Maryland School of Social Work

  • Stacey Tuck, Baltimore City Health Department

  • Rudi Zelman, Literacy Lab

 
 

NLD Strategic (Project Management, Coordination + Facilitation Support)

  • Nakeia Drummond, Founder & CEO

  • Delshan Baker

  • Tyler Benjamin

Baltimore’s Promise Staff

  • Julia Baez, Chief Executive Officer

  • Janelle Gendrano, Chief Operating Officer (former)

  • Bridget Blount, Chief Impact Officer

  • Natashia Heggins, Senior Director of Programs (former)

  • Jasmyne Gilbert, Senior Manager of Operations