Letter from the Founder

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,

The Foundation's global expansion to Africa in 2026 reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child—regardless of where they are born—has access to the books, educational resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. While our work began in 2017 with a call to action inspired by Governor Wes Moore's The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, it has evolved into a global movement dedicated to confronting one of the world's most overlooked barriers to educational equity: book deserts. Our expansion reflects a broader vision—that literacy is more than the ability to read and write; it is the foundation upon which educational achievement, civic engagement, economic opportunity, and healthy communities are built.

As I reflect on the Foundation's journey, I remain forever indebted to our Founding Board Members Emeritus—Pastor Aaron Tinch, Gerald Evans, J.D., Tanesha Mondestin, MSPH, Luna Mishoe IV, CPA, MPA, Dr. Sharon Sauls, Mrs. Katrina Todd, and Laurie Moloney, CALT—whose financial support, sponsorship, encouragement, and steadfast belief in our mission were instrumental in transforming an idea into an enduring institution. Without their unwavering commitment during our earliest days, the Foundation would not exist, and that is a truth I will never take for granted.

As we continue to grow, the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our volunteers, donors, educators, and community partners remain the driving force behind our work. Together, we have expanded beyond the United States to communities across Africa, delivering thousands of books to children and schools where access to reading materials remains limited. Every book we distribute represents hope, possibility, dignity, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to dream without limits.

My understanding of literacy's transformative power deepened after answering Governor Moore's call to action, and later accompanying JCTBF Scholars to meet Congressman John Lewis during his March: Book Three book tour. Watching young people meet one of the nation's greatest champions for justice, receive personally autographed copies of his work, and engage with his story reinforced a lesson that has guided me ever since that event: our mission has never simply been about books—it has always been about people.

Books are the vehicle through which we inspire curiosity, cultivate imagination, and empower children to become authors of their own stories. They open doors to new ideas, diverse cultures, meaningful careers, and communities that might otherwise remain beyond a child's reach. Through my own experiences and the countless children and families I have had the privilege to meet, I have come to believe that placing a book into a child's hands is one of the simplest yet most profound investments we can make in a child’s future. It is an investment in their confidence, their leadership, their voice, and the limitless potential that already exists within them.

This conviction continues to shape every initiative we undertake: from expanding access to books and supporting children's authorship to promoting Indigenous language education and creating pathways to higher education. We believe that educational equity requires more than good intentions; it demands sustained investment, meaningful partnerships, community trust, and a willingness to meet children where they are while helping them envision where they can go.

Looking ahead, our vision is both ambitious and deeply rooted in hope. We aspire to establish school-community libraries throughout Africa, strengthen literacy ecosystems in underserved communities, and foster partnerships that transcend borders. We know that no single organization can accomplish this work alone. Lasting change is built through collaboration, and we welcome individuals, schools, corporations, foundations, and governments who share our belief that access to books should never be determined by a child's ZIP code, village, or socioeconomic status.

To conclude, the J.C. Tamno Books Foundation was founded on the belief that one book can change one life, and that one transformed life can ultimately change a family, a community, and even a nation. That belief continues to guide every decision we make and every child we serve. Whether you are visiting our website for the first time, considering a partnership, volunteering your time, or making a gift, I invite you to join us in building a future where every child has the opportunity to read, to learn, to imagine, and to lead.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us write the next chapter of this remarkable journey. Together, we can ensure that the power of literacy reaches every child, every community, and every generation.

With gratitude,