PRJ - Clarice Jackson Episode

In this compelling episode of Literacy Now Together, Brett Tingley of Parents for Reading Justice and Kareem Weaver of FULCRUM interview ClariceJackson, a nationally recognized literacy advocate and founder of The Voice Advocacy Center and Black Literacy Matters. Clarice recounts how her journey began with her daughter’s struggle to learn to read, leading her to challenge ineffective systems, master special education law, and ultimately create resources and pathways for other families. She emphasizes that parents are not peripheral to education, they are essential partners whose voices must be respected and amplified in decision-making spaces. The discussion explores the intersection of dyslexia, race, and access, including Clarice’s leadership in advancing a national NAACP resolution on dyslexia and her efforts to reframe literacy as both a civil rights issue and a community responsibility. With candor and urgency, the episode calls out gaps in teacher preparation, the misuse of ineffective curricula, and the need for leadership that prioritizes evidence-based instruction. Above all, Clarice offers a message of empowerment and action: families must not wait for the system to change, they can be the force that ensures children learn to read. 

Clarice's advocacy work, including her efforts to help her daughter Latecia learn to read, are featured in this 2014 KETV news video- https://www.ketv.com/article/woman-determined-to-help-children-escape-trap-of-dyslexia/7154270.

It ends with wise words from Latecia, "Don't give up, keep reading, keep trying, read everything you see." 

Resources:

Article- "Dyslexia Advocacy, Borne of Love and Tragedy, Drives Clarice Jackson"

https://www.noiseomaha.com/culture/2021/10/6/vt7ep6201r60lmftd0907sy6w65323-etzl8 

Voice Advocacy Center

https://www.voiceadvocacycenter.org/

Black Literacy Matters

https://blackliteracymatters.org/

Decoding Dyslexia NE

https://www.voiceadvocacycenter.org/decoding-dyslexia-nebraska/ 

The Reading League of Nebraska

https://ne.thereadingleague.org/ 

NAACP 2014 Resolution on Dyslexia

https://naacp.org/resources/dyslexia

Social Media:

Instagram: 

@blackliteracymatters_official
@decodingdyslexiane

@ladyclaricejackson

X:

@voiceadvocacy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voiceadvocacycenter http://facebook.com/dispellingdyslexia@Decoding Dyslexia-NE

@Black Literacy Matters Conference

@The Reading League Nebraska

@Clarice L. Jackson

LinkedIn:

@Voice Advocacy Center
@Black Literacy Matters
@Clarice Jackson

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Parents for Reading Justice has teamed up with FULCRUM’s Kareem Weaver to bring you "Literacy Now, Together" — a podcast mini-series that takes a closer look at the reading crisis and explores real solutions with literacy leaders and families across the country. Parents for Reading Justice is a nonprofit grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring every child learns to read by engaging parents and educators in adopting the science of teaching reading. Our mission is to activate, train, and guide parent groups to flip their school districts to evidence-based reading instruction.

About Brett Tingley: ⁠

https://parentsforreadingjustice.org/brett-tingley-bio⁠

About Kareem Weaver:

⁠https://tinyurl.com/KareemWeaverBio⁠

About Parents for Reading Justice: ⁠

https://linktr.ee/parentsforreadingjustice⁠

About FULCRUM:

⁠https://linktr.ee/fulcrumliteracy⁠

DISCLAIMER: All information in this video is presented as our shared experience only, to help others understand our efforts and experience. Nothing presented herein should be construed as offering legal advice. We encourage everyone to seek professional legal advice for their circumstances. We welcome you to share your experiences with us on all matters relating to dyslexia as we are continuously learning new information to help push our cause to help as many people with dyslexia as possible. Thank you for your continued support!