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Writer's picturePastor W. Eric Croomes

Your Gift of Reading Will Help Close the Black Boy Literacy Gap!













Charley and Dorothy Croomes Foundation (CDCF)

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

214.493.2875








Dear Supporter,


Our black and brown boys grades 3rd - 8th are facing a grade level reading comprehension crisis! Consider:

  • The Black Star Project published findings as recently as 2017 that just 10 percent of eighth-grade Black boys in the U.S. are considered “proficient” in reading (The Edvocate, 2017)

  • On national tests last year, only 18 percent of black 4th-graders scored proficient or above in reading; the figure for white 4th-graders was 45 percent. For 8th graders, the percentages were 15 and 42 percent (Wexler, 202)

  • In 2022, Black students in Arizona had an average reading score that was 23 points lower than that for White students (NationsReportCard.gov)

  • In 2022, Hispanic students in Arizona had an average score that was 24 points lower than that for White students. (NationsReportCard.gov)

Studies show that if black and brown boys are not reading on grade-level by fourth grade, a dismal future of delinquency awaits them. I want to do something about this! The Charley and Dorothy Croomes Foundation exists to transform our families and communities into the kingdom of God and the kingdom of God into our families and communities.

Through The Kusoma Project, our reading initiative, we imagine a world where black and brown boys are excelling in reading proficiency as reflected in test scores and are flourishing intellectually, spiritually, civically and socially.

'Kusoma' is Swahili for "love of reading".

One of our four core ideals is literacy. Specifically, our mission is to improve grade level reading comprehension among the black and brown boy elementary population. Our program includes:

  • tutoring

  • success academy

  • access to grade-level books

  • an online book club)

  • annual read-in event

You can help by becoming a monthly donor toward our programming, OR by making a one-time donation toward our efforts at becoming fully credentialed by governing agencies. When you give to CDCF, your gift becomes a reliable source of funding for our long-term vision. For example, every dollar you give can provide up to ten picture books for a 3rd grader OR can go toward our annual read-in event.

We need your help in raising awareness and inspiring change as we empower the human endeavor by helping our target group thrive academically and socially!

Click below to read our vision and mission statement and to help CDCF bring a solution to this problem:


Visit The Kusoma Project on Facebook:

Sincerely,

Pastor W. Eric Croomes

Executive Director




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