Together, We Can Turn the Page to Improve Literacy!

Welcome to the Competitive Readers Coalition (CRC), where books meet barbershops and stories spark success. Based in St. Petersburg, FL, we’re on a mission to empower young BIPOC individuals by fostering a love of reading in spaces where they feel seen, valued, and inspired.

We Encourage, We Edify, We Excel.

Imagine stepping into a neighborhood barbershop and seeing shelves packed with books, children reading aloud, and conversations igniting young minds. At CRC, we transform these familiar spaces into vibrant hubs of literacy, blending culture, community, and education to make reading accessible, exciting, and impactful.

Our Outcome Goals

Attendance rate across full program cycle

of children report improved confidence in reading aloud

improve by one reading level over the year

Testimonials From Parents

AJ Smith- A Proud Parent

FEB 12, 2025

Since starting with the Competitive Readers Coalition my son's confidence in his reading abilities have skyrocketed. He was once a timid, shy reader who would mask his inability to read complex literature. Antonio would slowly introduce books that were on my son's grade level to assess his current reading level. He would then give him material that seemed to hold his interest better than the standard reading his was given at school.

How You Can Help

Click on the flyer for the link to take our quick Parent Survey.

Parent Survey

Click on this flyer for the link to our Online Clothing Store.

Read. Rise. Repeat! Explore our Merch Store today & help us gear up for change.

CRC Threads Online Store

Your Contribution Helps Us Shatter Literacy Barriers

With your support, CRC is improving young readers' experiences. Every book, program, and hour volunteered brings us closer to ensuring every child has access to education.

Donate Now

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Latest Community Event

🚒 Youth Tours & Career Explorations: Firefighting

Saturday, Nov 8, 10 am-11 am.

Calling all future heroes! This quarter, we’re thrilled to launch our immersive, hands-on experience designed to spark curiosity and inspire teens ages 10 to 17 to explore the exciting and rewarding world of firefighting.

During this interactive tour, participants will:

🚨 Step inside a working fire station and see the action up close
👨‍🚒 Meet real firefighters and hear firsthand what it takes to serve
🔥 Explore the tools, gear, and daily duties of fire service professionals
🧯 Learn essential fire safety and emergency response skills
❓ Engage in a live Q&A session to ask anything

Secure your spot now. 🔥 This event’s too hot to miss!

In the News

Want more details about what we do? Explore our blog to find stories and the latest updates about how our work is helping make an impact. We invite you to learn more about our efforts and help spread the word about our important cause.