The BeLit Bulletin, February 2023
IMPACT: 2022 in Review
As an evidence-informed agency, Beyond Literacy has analyzed our 2022 data across all programs to ensure we continue to provide measurable impact to our community of learners, volunteers, donors, and partners.

Thanks to you, our students are set up for success and BeLit continues to demonstrate the tremendous power of education to transform the lives of our region's adult learners. Please see our 2022 Impact Report here.
Books That Inspire

In recognition of Black History Month, BeLit staff are inspired to share their reviews of these powerful books that get to the heart of social justice and racial equity issues:
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi & The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
"Both go really in-depth into American history. Stamped details how racist ideas came to be and challenges the reader to examine their own understanding of history. Warmth covers the great migration of Black Americans out of southern states. It's beautifully written and will change your whole outlook." ~Carolanne, Tutor and Classroom Aide Coordinator

Running While Black by Alison Desir
"Alison, the author and Women's Running Magazine's Power Woman of 2022, covers white supremacy in the running industry, her experiences starting a running club as a Black woman, and the work she has done since for equity and inclusion in the fitness industry." ~Rebecca, Communications Intern

The Wedding by Dorothy West
"Dorothy West was the last surviving member of the Harlem Renaissance movement when this book was published late in her life in 1995. Set in the 1950's, it explores racial identity issues and class tensions within an affluent, bi-racial family over multiple generations. The story was illuminating for me." ~Kathy, Data Quality Assurance Manager

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
"This book is written especially for people like me, liberal white people who purport to already be fully anti-racist. HAH! I have a lot to learn. It was embarrassing and enlightening to read. Very powerful. I sent it to three prestigious psychoanalysts who do a podcast that I listen to. Let's say they had a very 'white' perspective on the George Floyd riots." ~Nicole, ESOL Instructor
Closing the Tech Divide for Older Adults

A recent Pew report cites that only 75% of Americans ages 65+ use the internet, compared with 96% and up across all other age groups. Thanks to support from the City's Office of Children and Families, BeLit has added senior center and library locations to our list of free, community-based computer basics classes, now offered citywide:
*Older adult centers serve ages 55+. Drop-ins welcome.
**Registration required for BeLit's West Philly center classes.
Opening Access to Education, Jobs, and Opportunities
BeLit extends our heartfelt thanks to the CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) Foundation and each of their 1,718 employees who chose to invest in our mission of changing lives through literacy.

CLA's Karen Robinson explains, "Funding from the CLA Foundation comes directly from my colleagues, and this past year there were 1,718 of us who donated. The Foundation operates very much as a grassroots funder. All grantees are nominated and applications are reviewed by my CLA family members. Our priorities are education, employment and entrepreneurship. I was thrilled to learn that Beyond Literacy was selected during the Fall 2022 funding cycle. I've had the opportunity to get to know you over the past few years and believe that the community services you provide bring about measurable social impact. Education, jobs and access to healthcare are the components that I believe create the basis for individuals, families and communities to thrive."

Thank you, CLA, for believing in the power of adult learning. We greatly appreciate your partnership and generosity.
Left to right: Denise Cifelli, BeLit Board Member; Karen Robinson, CLA Client Relationship Leader; Kimmell Proctor, BeLit CEO
BeLit Learner Spotlight:
Darrell Williams, 35, BeLit Learner and Pre-Apprentice
Growing up, Darrell Williams experienced incidences of instability and abuse both in his home and in his community. His family frequently relocated within Philadelphia, forcing Darrell to adjust to new schools where he always felt like an outsider. In ninth grade, anxious for a peer group to accept him, Darrell joined a neighborhood gang. Soon after, he was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle and placed in a juvenile home where he continued to suffer violence and neglect.

At age 17, Darrell was able to return home and attend a District high school. Motivated to improve his situation, Darrell excelled academically, even while supporting his mother who was battling lung cancer. When graduation approached, Darrell was heartbroken to learn that he was ineligible due to a missing credit. Frustrated with a lack of support for himself and his sick mom, Darrell put his academic goals on hold in order to get a job.

Working as a debt collector, Darrell attempted to financially support his mom and new baby son. It soon became apparent that no matter how hard he worked at his job, he would need his GED in order to advance. Motivated to explore family-sustaining career opportunities, Darrell enrolled in Beyond Literacy's clean energy pre-apprenticeship program in August 2022. “I wanted a chance to better my life before it’s too late,” Darrell says. 
This fast-track, learning-to-earning program operates in partnership with the Energy Coordinating Agency, allowing Darrell to study utilities trades while simultaneously working toward his GED. Determined to take advantage of this second chance at academic success, Darrell studied hard and proudly earned his GED along with multiple energy-sector credentials, all within six months.

Having recently graduated from the program, Darrell looks forward to following in another family trailblazer's footsteps. His grandmother, Ida Mae Proctor, was one of the first female electricians in the City of Philadelphia. "I'd like to do something that would make my mom and grandmom proud since they’ve passed away,” Darrell says.

Now a father of three, he looks forward to beginning an empowering new career with longevity. Darrell is excited to have already received an offer from PECO to be an Energy Technician, conditional upon passing their entrance exam, the Construction and Skilled Trades (CAST) test. To prepare for this challenging aptitude test, he has enrolled in BeLit's upcoming evening CAST-prep class which covers a wide range of mathematical and mechanical concepts as well as contextualized reading comprehension.  

“I’m happy to be here. Everyone at BeLit has been very helpful and encouraging, especially on the hard days.” Darrell says. When asked if he would recommend pre-apprenticeship to others, he explains, “The program is pretty cool. It teaches you to build a home from the ground up. You’re doing carpentry, HVAC, electrical work, all in one setting. It’s very fast paced, but you get out what you put into it.”
Interested in a career at a top energy company? We can help! Our upcoming CAST-prep and TECH-prep evening classes are cost-free, on Zoom, and offer a fast-track for women and men into an exciting high-wage career. Classes begin March 6.

Fill out this interest form to enroll or learn more. (Must have a high school diploma or GED by spring 2023 to participate.)
Beyond Literacy's mission is to expand opportunities and improve lives by unleashing the power of literacy through free, high-quality adult education and career readiness.