02/17/26
Reading Begins with Belonging: Inside St. Louis’ Newest Literacy Lab
This January, families, educators, and community leaders gathered at Friendly Academy to celebrate the opening of the Believe 14 Literacy Lab—a new space designed to help children in St. Louis become confident, joyful readers by third grade. Led by The Believe Projects and St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, and supported by The Opportunity Trust, the lab offers students access to culturally relevant books, inspiring artwork, and a learning environment intentionally centered on love and belonging.
This new space reflects a shared commitment to literacy as both an academic priority and a community responsibility. From students reading poetry aloud, to parents describing a renewed sense of hope, to veteran educators witnessing their lifelong dreams come to life, the Believe 14 Literacy Lab stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when schools, families, and partners work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
A Space Centered in Love, Identity, and Belief
The Believe 14 Literacy Lab is the 14th literacy space created by St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, marking seven years of their work across the region.
The lab’s mural reflects this philosophy. At its center is the word love, surrounded by images of faith, community, and possibility. Students are greeted by books featuring characters who look like them, written by authors who share their cultural experiences.
For Julius Anthony, founder of St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, the vision extends beyond bookshelves and lesson plans.
We are taking these steps to ensure that all children have access to become successful readers by the end of third-grade. It’s about community, coming together, being centered in faith, being centered in love.
Julius Anthony, Founder of St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature,
Anthony says this lab represents Friendly Academy’s founding principal, Dr. Tesha Robinson’s, broader vision for the school. “She has a powerful vision for the children in this place. She has a vision that they will not just be educated, but that they will leave here with character and that they will have a good sense of who they are,” Anthony said.
Friendly Academy opened in Fall 2025 in North St. Louis with 75 kindergarten and 1st grade students—and a vision to grow steadily to 400 K–5 students by 2029. Backed by a $2 million CSP grant administered by The Opportunity Trust, the school renovated its facility, recruited a strong founding staff, and developed a high-quality instructional foundation.
Why This Matters to Families and the Region
Research consistently shows that students who read proficiently by third grade are far more likely to succeed academically long-term, while culturally responsive learning environments increase student engagement, motivation, and identity development. The Believe 14 Literacy Lab brings these principles to life—directly within a neighborhood school.
The emotional heart of the event came from students and parents—especially eight-year-old Treasure, who bravely read a poem titled “I Believe” by Julius Anthony, in front of the audience. For her mother, Estella White, the literacy lab represents something deeper: relief, trust, and renewed confidence in her child’s school.
“I feel comfortable because I don’t have to work so hard because they’re at Friendly, Academy,” White explained. “The school has given me a sense of relief. You send them to school, and you hope for the best, but here you can see it.”
Veteran educator Janice Smith, who taught for over 50 years, called the lab the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
“When I walked in here this morning, I saw all those books, I saw those children,” she said. “Just to look at these beautiful books, any child would want to come and get one.”
The Believe 14 Literacy Lab is open, but its success depends on sustained community involvement. You can support this work by volunteering, donating books, or sharing this story with others in your network.