Your Voice, Their Future: How 10 Minutes of Reading Can Change a Life in St. Pete
- Antonio Brown
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
What if we told you that ten minutes of your time could spark a lifetime of confidence in a young boy? That your voice, yes, your voice, could be the catalyst that transforms how a child sees himself, his future, and his place in this world?
Welcome to the "Read With Me" initiative, a transformative volunteer opportunity brought to you by The Competitive Readers Coalition (CRC). We're calling on community members throughout St. Petersburg, FL and Pinellas County to join us in building boys' reading confidence, one story at a time.
And the best part? You can do it from the comfort of your own home, in just ten minutes.
Why Your Voice Matters More Than You Know
Here's the truth: representation changes everything. When young boys see and hear adults who look like them reading, learning, and loving books, something powerful happens. They begin to believe that reading isn't just for "other people", it's for them.
Studies consistently show that children who have access to diverse reading role models demonstrate higher levels of reading engagement and confidence. For boys in our community, especially those navigating environments where literacy isn't always celebrated, seeing a mentor read aloud can be the spark that ignites a lifelong love of learning.
That's where you come in.
The "Read With Me" program invites volunteers from all walks of life, fathers, uncles, coaches, teachers, barbers, business professionals, and community leaders, to record a short video of themselves reading a children's book. These videos are then shared digitally with families throughout Pinellas County, bringing literacy experiences directly into homes, barbershops, and other trusted community spaces.
The Journey: FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM
At CRC, we believe that every child's journey begins with confidence. Our flagship program, FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM, is built on the understanding that trusted community spaces, like local barbershops, can be powerful incubators for literacy and personal development.
But our reach doesn't stop at the barber's chair.
Through initiatives like "Read With Me," we're extending that impact into the digital world, ensuring that boys throughout St. Petersburg FL have access to positive reading experiences no matter where they are. Whether a child is waiting for a haircut, sitting at home, or visiting a relative's house, they can pull up a video and see someone who looks like them demonstrating that reading is cool, valuable, and accessible.
This is what a community literacy program looks like when it meets innovation. This is how we build boys' reading confidence at scale.
What Does It Take to Be a "Read With Me" Volunteer?
Here's the beautiful thing: becoming a Read With Me volunteer is remarkably simple. You don't need professional equipment. You don't need to be a teacher or a librarian. You just need to be willing to share ten minutes of your time and a story you love.
Here's how it works:
That's it. Ten minutes. One story. Endless impact.
The Ripple Effect of Reading Representation
When we talk about Pinellas County literacy, we're not just talking about test scores and reading levels. We're talking about identity. We're talking about how a young boy sees himself in relation to books, learning, and his own potential.
Research from the National Literacy Trust indicates that children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to read above the expected level for their age. But enjoyment doesn't happen in a vacuum, it's cultivated through positive experiences, encouragement, and yes, representation.
When a young boy in St. Pete watches a video of a Black man confidently reading a story, something shifts. He sees possibility. He sees himself. He begins to understand that reading isn't a chore reserved for classrooms: it's a skill that successful people use every single day.
This is the ripple effect we're creating with "Read With Me." One video becomes ten. Ten videos become a hundred. And suddenly, we have a library of diverse voices championing literacy throughout our community.
Word of the Day: Erudition
At CRC, we believe in the power of words to shape identity and expand horizons. That's why we're introducing our Word of the Day series, spotlighting elevated vocabulary that connects to our mission of building confident, articulate young leaders.
This week's word is erudition (noun): extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books; profound, recondite, or bookish learning.
Pronunciation: er-yoo-DISH-uhn
When you volunteer for the "Read With Me" program, you're not just reading a story: you're modeling erudition. You're showing young boys that knowledge is power, that learning is a lifelong journey, and that books are the keys to unlocking doors they haven't even discovered yet.
Imagine a generation of young men who wear their erudition with pride. Who see reading not as a task, but as a tool for success. That's the future we're building together.
Who Should Volunteer?
The short answer? Everyone.
But if you're looking for specific examples, here are some of the voices we'd love to have in our "Read With Me" library:
Fathers and father figures who want to model positive reading habits
Barbers and stylists who already serve as trusted mentors in our community
Business professionals who can demonstrate the connection between literacy and career success
Coaches and mentors who understand the power of encouragement
College students who can show younger boys what's possible
Grandparents and elders who carry wisdom and storytelling traditions
Community leaders who want to invest in the next generation
No matter your background, your voice has value. Your story matters. And somewhere in Pinellas County, there's a young boy who needs to hear it.
Join the Movement Today
The Competitive Readers Coalition is more than a St. Petersburg FL youth literacy organization: we're a movement. From our FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM program to initiatives like "Read With Me," we're committed to meeting boys where they are and showing them where they can go.
Our programming extends across multiple pillars, including:
Youth Workforce Development and Training – Equipping the next generation of leaders
Books & Beyond reading experiences
Financial Literacy and Homeownership Program (Partner: LMCU) – Building generational wealth through literacy and ownership
Community Engagement Events throughout Pinellas County
Every program, every initiative, and every volunteer video brings us one step closer to a community where every boy reads with confidence.
Your Next Step
Ready to lend your voice to the future? Here's what to do:
Visit crcbooks.org to learn more about CRC and our programs
Reach out to let us know you want to be a "Read With Me" volunteer
Record your video and send it our way
Watch as your ten minutes of reading creates ripples of confidence across St. Pete
It really is that simple. And it really is that powerful.
Because at the end of the day, this isn't just about books. It's about showing our boys that they belong in every room: from the barbershop to the boardroom, from the classroom to the corner office. It's about building a generation of readers, leaders, and dreamers who know their worth.
Your voice. Their future. Ten minutes that can change everything.
Connect with The Competitive Readers Coalition:
The Competitive Readers Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to building literacy and confidence in youth throughout Pinellas County and beyond. Join us in our mission to take every child FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM.
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