Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyana Tibby.
Hi Tyana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been reading since the age of three and books have always been a haven for me. I would read instead of interacting with my peers, eating lunch, or doing my school work. Even now, I would choose a good book over television or most other activities. The library is still my favorite place to go. For as long as I can remember, I have checked out the maximum books allowed – 50. Reading has translated into academic success for me through elementary, middle, and now high school. I am in National Honors Society, the AICE/ Cambridge Program, and serve as a Spanish tutor at my high school.
In March 2020, Mr. Chris Jackson, my entrepreneurship teacher gave the class an assignment to tackle a global issue. I chose Global Education and decided to raise funds for UNICEF. I hosted a bake sale at a school basketball game that raised $196. I donated these funds to UNICEF. I was planning on donating books to local schools but then the pandemic started and school was out for the rest of the year.
So instead, I launched Urban Book Squad in the Summer of 2020. It started as a virtual, summer reading program for children ages 5-11 using a platform called Reading A to Z. I spent over 50 hours reading with students over the summer. Once school began, I started providing tutoring and homework help. The current program participants live in Florida and Tennessee. I keep them motivated by sending them gift certificates for free pizza and books through partner programs like Pizza Hut BookIT and Barnes and Nobles reading program. I was able to surprise one of the students with a birthday trip to a local fire station where he got to meet his heroes.
My love for reading inspired me to launch Urban Book Squad. I want to share my love for reading with other kids because I believe that reading is important. Being able to read helps individuals to succeed in life. I believe that “If you can read, you can write, and if you can write, you can do anything.” My future goal is to expand this organization to youth across the country and even internationally.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A few struggles that I have had were not enough volunteers which limits the number of people I can help and also coronavirus which motivated me to launch Urban Book Squad, the virtual reading, and tutoring program.
I am currently seeking volunteers who are high-achieving high school students and fellow bookworms with a track record for being individuals of good character who love to work with kids and can dedicate 2 hours a week to Urban Book Squad.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Urban Book Squad is a reading and tutoring program that helps children ages 5-11 with vocabulary, reading comprehension, quiz-taking skills, and much more to reduce reading disparities and enhance every child’s chances of thriving academically.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The industry outlook for online reading programs like Urban Book Squad is highly favorable. Due to coronavirus, many reading and tutoring programs have gone virtual.
Contact Info:
- Email: urbanbooksquad@gmail.com
- Website: https://urbanbooksquad.wixsite.com/urbanbooksquad
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanbooksquad/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanbooksquad
Image Credits
Dark Light Portrait Studios
