History
Our History
Our Kids Read began with a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the chance to become a reader.
The organization was founded in 2019 by Jahmal Lake, Princeton University '98, a technology executive who had spent more than two decades working in software engineering and leadership roles at American Express, Booz Allen, and the U.S. Treasury. The organization was founded with the mission to increase literacy levels in low-income communities around the country (less that 25% of low-income students are considered reading proficiently at the end of elementary school).
Our Story
The inspiration for Our Kids Read came from a deeply personal place.
After the passing of his mother, Dr. Obiagele Lake, a lifelong educator, author, and social justice advocate, Jahmal used a $50,000 bequest from her estate to launch the organization in her honor. Dr. Lake believed profoundly in the power of education and storytelling to expand opportunity, particularly for communities whose histories and voices were often overlooked.
Our Kids Read was created to carry that belief forward.
What began as a grassroots effort to place diverse books into the hands of children has grown into a national literacy nonprofit serving communities across the United States. Since receiving 501(c)(3) status in November 2021, Our Kids Read has partnered with schools, hospitals, libraries, and community organizations to bring books and literacy mentorship directly to children who need them most.
Today, Our Kids Read operates programs in fourteen states—New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, California, Oregon, and Washington.
Through Free Book Festivals, hospital book donations, and the Reading Buddies mentorship program, the organization has helped thousands of children discover the joy of reading while building confidence and literacy skills.
To date, Our Kids Read has:
- Served more than 75,000 children
- Donated over 150,000 culturally affirming books
- Delivered thousands of one-on-one reading sessions
- Built partnerships with major publishers and companies including Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Microsoft, Nike, Verizon, Gen Digital, and RxBenefits
In 2025, Our Kids Read also launched the Baltimore Literacy Hub, a free children's bookstore and literacy resource center designed to provide families with year-round access to books and reading support.
While the organization has grown quickly, its mission remains grounded in a simple idea: children thrive when they have books, encouragement, and someone who believes in them.
Our Kids Read continues to expand nationally by building a community of volunteers, educators, families, and partners working together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn to read—and to love reading.
