THE WHY:

On Tuesday, 2/20, we successfully presented around the Styx Promenade Proposal during the Final Round to the Mayor of WPB, CRA Commissioners, and the public forum. As a result, we were awarded the opportunity to purchase a two-building property in the Northwest Historic District.

This is WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP! Your contribution will play a crucial role in creating a lasting legacy for generations to come. With your support, we can amplify our impact, foster connections, and champion the voices that deserve to be heard.

We are seeking funding for our new permanent location that will serve as a hub for Rohi's Readery as well as Rohi's Liberation Station, a non-profit critical initiative aimed at fostering libratory literacy experiences, honoring historically marginalized communities, and cultivating intentional early childhood reading readiness programming through the arts and culture. 

Our mission is to establish a permanent and welcoming space that mirrors the rich diversity of Palm Beach County, a space that honors historically marginalized communities, and a sanctuary where the transformative power of literature can be discovered by everyone, regardless of age, background, or identity.

The strength of the Black community is ALWAYS seen as in the Northwest District and the history of the Styx.

Every dollar counts, and your generosity will help us turn the dream of a permanent home for Rohi's Readery into a reality. 

Thank you for being a crucial part of our community and for supporting the transformative power of literature. Together, let's build a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

With gratitude,
Pranoo (she/they/we)

Owner, Founder and Education Leader

More about Rohi's Readery:

Founded June 2021, Rohi’s Readery is a social justice driven children’s bookstore and learning center committed to sharing beautiful stories of historically marginalized communities including: Black, Indigenous, Arab, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latine, LGBTQ2IA+, disability and the neurodiverse community. We offer FREE educational programming tied with empowering literacy experiences for children and adults to find liberation in their identity while learning the stories of others. Named after the founder's annama (grandmother in Hindi), Rohini aka "Rohi" was an activist in India who fought for children's educational rights with the caste system and emancipation of women's rights during colonized rule. Ancestral resistance and love is felt in the walls of the Readery. We believe in honoring those who have come before us and celebrating what's ahead. 

Statistics: 

In 2.5 years, we have hosted 400+ free literacy learning events, brought nearly 3300 people together and established over 170 partnerships. We host 15-20 free events a month, perform community outreach, sponsor library curation and development at community centers and lead in DEIA consulting. All with the pursuit honoring the past and cultivating a more inclusive future.

Awards:

2021 Palm Beach Illustrated Education Institution of the Year Finalist
2022 YWCA Dorothy Height Racial Justice Award Finalist
2022 Anti-Defamation League of FL Community Change Maker Winner
2022 SFBW Diversity and Inclusion Business Honoree
2022 Chamber of Commerce of the PB Diversity Business of the Year Finalist
2022 Path to College Education Champion of the Year
2022 Jupiter Magazine’s “Ones to Watch”
2022 Cultural Council's Top Bookstores in South Florida
2022 Essence Magazine Top 5 Places to Visit in PB
2022 Palm Beach Illustrated Educator of the Year Finalist
2022 Thrillest List of Top Bookstores in South Florida
2022 Modern Luxury Palm Beach Philanthropists of the Year
2022 New Voices New Rooms SIBA and NAIBA Community Work Award
2023 Southern Living and Yahoo's Top 20 Bookstores in Florida2023 TedX Speaker- The Power of Critical Literacy
2023 "Best Community Bookstore for Families" by Florida Weekly
2023 Palm Beach County School District "We're All In" Champion for Equity Award
2023 Chamber of the Palm Beaches Diversity Organization of the Year Award
2023 Compass LGBTQIA+ Center Guiding Light Award
2023 Speak Up for Kids Ambassador
2022-2023 Natural Movers Foundation Board Member
2022-2024 Watson Institute x Lynn University Professor
2022-2024 Norton Teach Council Member