Reading With Mrs. Richardson

A literacy nonprofit in Memphis, Tennessee

Every child deserves to see themselves in a book.

We help Memphis students become strong, confident readers through small-group instruction, new books by diverse authors, and lessons rooted in the history of their own city.

DonateRequest a program
Circles of Success students holding up their new books
Book day
A toddler reading a new book at a community event
Story time
Students reading a Memphis historical marker downtown
Memphis history
5,000+students reached across the Mid-South
10,400+new books by diverse authors given away
1,500+digital reading hours logged
5Little Free Libraries in Shelby County

Their circumstances do not define their future. Their stories help shape it.

We teach literacy through diverse stories, untold histories, and powerful legacies that remind children where they come from and what they're capable of becoming. Because every child deserves more than the ability to read. They deserve the confidence to lead, the courage to question, and the knowledge that they come from greatness.

Our mission

Our programs

One builds strong readers in the classroom. The other makes sure every child has books at home.

Tap a program to switch

Grades 5 to 8

Knowledge Keepers

Literacy instruction and academic enrichment for middle grade students, especially those reading below grade level.

What a session looks like

  • Small-group reading instruction
  • Comprehension and vocabulary practice
  • Structured writing
  • Interactive lessons that connect reading to Memphis history and real life
Schools and organizationsBring Knowledge Keepers to your students.Partner with us
FamiliesAsk about one-on-one tutoring.Ask about tutoring
Everything about Knowledge Keepers
Students working on writing at their desksStudents writing during an after-school session.
Memphis MadeOur own literacy curriculum built on Memphis history.
LOUD THOUGHTSA journal for creative writing and social-emotional learning.
TutoringIndividual and small-group reading and writing help for grades 5 to 8.

What's happening

Community events, book distributions and our latest posts.

Coming up

  1. Nov212026
    Sweet Cheeks Diaper Distribution

    Free new books for children at Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry's diaper giveaway.

    9:00 AM · 2175 Business Center Drive, Suite 5A, Memphis, TN 38134

    Open to families
  2. Dec2026
    Books Under the Tree

    Our holiday literacy giving initiative. New books go to students at selected schools to keep them reading over winter break.

    Through participating schools

Want to help fill the tree? Sponsor holiday books

On Instagram

@readingwithmrsrichardson
A student and parent smiling with new booksBook table at a Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry giveawayStudents on a Memphis history field tripStudents holding new books in a school libraryA boy showing off his new bookChildren choosing books from a table
BlogMemphis Made: Our History, Our Stories, Our Future
BlogBuilding Home Libraries, One Book at a Time: A Summer and Fall of Giving 📚❤️
BlogI Am Mary Anna’s Wildest Dream: Why Literacy Is Personal to Me

See all blog posts

Memphis is our classroom

Students studying artifacts at a table
The first class

Six students at Germantown Middle

Reading With Mrs. Richardson began as a once-a-week after-school group, with tutoring and one-on-one practice for students who needed extra support.

Read the full story

Who we work with

Schools, ministries, foundations and local government helping Memphis kids read.

Schools and educational partners

Raleigh-Egypt Middle School
Circles of Success Learning Academy
St. Mary's Episcopal School
Grahamwood Elementary School
Millington Early Learning Academy

Community partners and supporters

Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry
Literacy Mid-South
Walmart
The Assisi Foundation of Memphis
Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium
The Urban Child Institute
Ampro Industries
Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County
The Memphis 13
City of Memphis
Shelby County Government

See all partners, past and present

Get involved

Pick the one that fits. Each leads to a single next step.

DonatePut new books in children's hands and fund literacy programs.Give nowVolunteerHelp sort books and welcome families at community distributions.Sign up to volunteerRequest a programFor schools and community organizations that want Knowledge Keepers or a book event.Send a requestPartner with usSponsor Books Under the Tree, host a distribution, or build something new together.Start a conversation

Prefer PayPal? Give through PayPal

Books should never be considered a luxury.From our blog, after a Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry giveawayDonate

Read. Wear. Repeat.

Carla's Memphis Made workbook and LOUD THOUGHTS journal are on Amazon now. Reading With Mrs. Richardson T-shirts are coming soon.

Shop the books
Memphis Made workbook coverMemphis Made workbook
LOUD THOUGHTS journal coverLOUD THOUGHTS journal
T-shirtsComing soon
Reading With Mrs. Richardson merch