Literary Oasis

The Conscious Connect, Inc. is one of the nation's leading literacy organizations as a 21st Century innovative ecosystem that creates opportunity zones that alleviate gaps in education, culture, health, and peace in high-poverty neighborhoods, so that success is not defined by zip codes. Since launching in 2016, The Conscious Connect, Inc. has distributed more than 47,000 books across 105 literary access points predominantly within a 50-mile radius of Southwest Ohio (i.e., Springfield and Dayton) to eradicate urban book deserts.

‘The Root’ has established culturally-relevant literacy stations in 65+ barbershops and beauty salons throughout the region. ‘Houses of Knowledge’ hold more than 100 books at a time to engage children and families with limited access to books. They serve as cornerstones at 17 schools and neighborhood sites. ‘Words on Wheels’ is a compatible book bike that delivers up to 400 books at one-time into underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods. Reading Parks serve as gateways for community beautification, pride, and civic participation. They cultivate the vitality of neighborhoods and return former community hazards into neighborhood amenities and safe-havens.

Read our published articles about book access in the International Literacy Association’s Magazine.