St. Louis, December 13, 2023 — The St. Louis City chapter of the NAACP is proud to announce that Dr. Ian Buchanan, the newly appointed Education Chair, will spearhead the launch of the “Right to Read” Campaign, a comprehensive literacy initiative aimed at ensuring every child in St. Louis City and County has the opportunity to read on grade level by 3rd grade, with a target to meet or exceed the overall state average by 2030.
Right to Read Campaign Leadership
Under Dr. Ian Buchanan’s leadership, the campaign will be guided by a set of key strategies designed to engage the community and collaborate with educational leaders to achieve this critical goal:
- Community Engagement: NAACP leadership will extend invitations to community leaders to join the “Right to Read Campaign,” fostering a collaborative effort to address literacy challenges in the region.
- Stakeholder Meetings: Campaign leadership, including Dr. Ian Buchanan, will host a series of meetings with school leaders, elected officials, and community organizations. These meetings, scheduled throughout the year, aim to introduce the campaign’s goals and gather valuable feedback on the proposed resolution.
- Documentary Screening: In conjunction with the “Right to Read Campaign,” a documentary will be co-hosted on January 17, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday week. This event will serve to further socialize the campaign’s objectives with parents, educators, and community leaders. The documentary features Kareem Weaver, Vice President and Education Chair of NAACP Oakland, who will be in attendance for the screening.
Campaign Goal
The overarching goal of the “Right to Read Campaign” is for every district and charter school governing board in St. Louis City and County to adopt a resolution and a concrete goal. The aim is to ensure that the number of Black children reading on grade level by 3rd grade meets or exceeds the overall state average by the year 2030.
Key Strategies
To achieve this ambitious goal, the campaign will employ key strategies that involve community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and the promotion of literacy awareness.
Annual Progress Reports
As part of the transparency and accountability of the campaign, an annual report will be released when reading scores become available. This report will showcase progress made against the campaign’s goals, celebrating successes and highlighting areas for improvement.
The St. Louis City NAACP is confident that under Dr. Ian Buchanan’s leadership, the “Right to Read Campaign” will make significant strides towards promoting literacy and ensuring that every child has the fundamental right to read.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Ian Buchanan
St. Louis City NAACP Education Chair
314-302-6028
ABOUT DR. IAN BUCHANAN:
Dr. Buchanan currently serves as the CEO of Nia Education Group, a coaching and consulting firm with a mission to empower leaders to reach their full potential. His leadership philosophy is encapsulated in his book, KING: A Four-Part Leadership Framework for Black Men. This framework serves as a guide for individuals striving to become their greatest leadership selves.
Prior to founding Nia Education Group, Dr. Ian Buchanan served as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction (Chief Academic Officer) in the School District of University City, Missouri. His impact was felt during his five-year tenure, where he worked diligently to enhance the educational experience for students. Before his role in University City, Dr. Buchanan served as the founding Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Achievement School District in Memphis, TN, a state-sponsored, all charter school district.
During his time in Memphis, Dr. Buchanan played a pivotal role as the founding Managing Director of the Parent Leadership and Advocacy Institute (PLAI), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering parents to influence change. He also contributed significantly to the development of the nationally acclaimed Memphis LiV, a powerful parent organization advocating for educational reform.
With over two decades of experience in education, Dr. Buchanan has held various teaching roles at the K-12, adult basic education, undergraduate, and graduate levels. His extensive background includes leadership roles at the elementary and middle school levels, as well as serving as an HBCU admissions officer, National Science Foundation Fellow, and Teach For America Managing Director.
Dr. Ian Buchanan has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions to education. Some of the accolades include the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals Consummate Professional of the Year Award, the St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Education Award, and the Teach for America Principal of the Year Award. His passion and commitment to empowering communities have made him highly regarded across the country.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Buchanan is a family man. He and his wife, Carmen, have one daughter, Nia, who is an HBCU graduate and educator.
