Click Here: Believe 7 Opens at Barack Obama School in Normandy Schools Collaborative

PINE LAWN, MO -- The Normandy Schools Collaborative will become the newest home to a Believe Project literacy lab, an initiative of the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature (STLBACL) organization dedicated to improving reading proficiency in elementary students. A ribbon cutting will take place September 29 at Barack Obama School, which will house the literacy lab. The project is particularly meaningful for Normandy as Craig Williams, President of Jordan Brand at Nike, is a Normandy graduate. Williams, along with other featured speakers, will provide remarks at the opening.

Funding from Nike and its Black Community Commitment Initiative and the Nike St. Louis AirMI Black Employee Network made the project possible. STLBACL was selected as one of Nike, Inc.’s Black Community Commitment 2022 Education Innovation honorees. STLBACL received a $50,000 grant to support the literacy lab at Barack Obama School. The funds provided teacher training, a library of diverse titles, and a colorful mural by St. Louis-based artist Bill Williams.

"We are ensuring all children become confident and competent readers by the end of third grade." St. Louis Black Authors of Children's Literature