About | The Bookshelf Project

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About Us

Our Mission

The Bookshelf Project's mission is to cultivate an early love for books, reading, and life-long learning from birth thru age 8 by creating in-home libraries for children and improving access to culturally responsive books to support literacy attainment.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Closing the reading achievement gap and ensuring that all children, especially, Black and Brown children are prepared to succeed in school and everyday life.

Who We Are

The Bookshelf Project, Inc. is an evidence-based early literacy intervention model aimed at enhancing literacy outcomes for underprivileged children by providing in-home libraries and distributing culturally relevant books. The project was conceptualized by founder Ihkeem D. Ma'at, as a pragmatic approach to addressing the significant reading disparities among Black children.

His vision was based on the belief that access to books in their homes would inspire children's interest in reading. Backed by research data, The Bookshelf Project was established in 2017 in partnership with several community-based organizations and programs in Washington, DC.The initiative successfully distributed over 350 bookshelves and a substantial number of books to children in the region.

Since its inception, The Bookshelf Project has evolved into a fully incorporated Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) licensed non-profit organization, which is overseen by a volunteer board of directors. The primary goal of the organization is to provide literacy resources that enable parents and caregivers to confidently read to and assist their children in developing age and grade-appropriate reading skills.

The Bookshelf Project is dedicated to closing the reading achievement gap and ensuring that all children, particularly Black and Brown children, are equipped to succeed in school and everyday life.

2023 Funding Proposal

Who We Are

Why In-home
Libraries Matter

Children growing up in homes with at least twenty books get three years more schooling than children from bookless homes, independent of their parent's education, occupation, and class.

Early literacy encompasses all of a child’s experiences with conversations, stories (oral and written), books, and print.

The nurturing and one-on-one attention from parents during reading aloud encourages children to form a positive association with books and reading later in life.

Our Children Deserve The Right to Read

“Human rights are not things that are put on the table for people to enjoy. These are things you fight for and then you protect.”

Wangari Maathai

Meet Our Team

Ihkeem D. Ma'at, PMP

Founder/CEO

Ihkeem D. Ma'at is a highly experienced professional with an impressive track record spanning over 15 years, primarily concentrated in the fields of management, project management, and program development. He possesses a distinctive proficiency for successfully executing special projects, cultivating robust business relationships, and excelling in intricate, high-performance settings.
Mr. Ma'at earned his Bachelor's and Associate's Degrees from American Intercontinental University (AIU) and holds certifications, including the Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher conferred by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and the Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Furthermore, Mr. Ma'at is the esteemed founder of The Bookshelf Project, Inc., an organization steadfastly dedicated to the advancement of literacy and the distribution of free culturally relevant books and bookshelves to underserved communities. He also serves as the Founder and Executive Director of the Brave Heart Entrepreneurial Youth Camp, both of which are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities located in Washington, DC.

In his capacity as an accomplished entrepreneur and former educator within the DC Public School system, Mr. Ma'at maintains active membership in numerous professional associations. These include the DC Association for the Education of Young Children (DCAEYC), the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice (ACYCP), the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), the Project Management Institute (PMI), and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington, DC. His unwavering commitment to these organizations underscores his ongoing contributions and dedication to the betterment of his community.

In addition to his remarkable achievements, Mr. Ma'at is an accomplished author, having penned the children's book "The Entrepreneur in Me: How Hakeem Became an Entrepreneur." This book reflects his commitment to empowering youth and promoting entrepreneurship in an engaging and educational manner.

Mr. Ma'at also serves as a consultant for the DC Early Learning Collaborative in the capacity of Collaboration and Advocacy Director, an organization committed to ensuring high-quality early learning outcomes for children in the District of Columbia. His role in this capacity underscores his dedication to advocating for early education and child development at a community level.

Parker Burton III

Vice Chair

Parker Burton III is the CEO & Founder of Parker Burton & Associates, LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia and offering services worldwide. Parker Burton & Associates, LLC offers general transcription services to individuals, non-profit organizations and corporate entities that require audio and video recordings to be transcribed as a written record.

Parker is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated where he currently serves as American sign language interpreter for the fraternity general conventions and ADA Coordinator for the Southern Region of the fraternity. He has also served as the Chair of the Time and place Committee and a member of the Convention Planning committee. Parker is also an active member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York Masons, where he serves as Chair of Conventions for the state.

Parker also enjoys spending time at his church as the cochair of the Deaf Ministry at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia and loves to study the language and culture of Germany.

Nuckia Carter

Secretary

Nuckia Carter is a education and business development professional with over 13 years of experience in program development, leadership training, education management & facilitation. As an education-focused leader that consistently provides support to learning environments for children; she is energetic, resourceful, and a creative problem solver.

Nuckia is an articulate communicator skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships with organizational staff, teachers, directors, and parents that collaboratively supports the educational development of children.

Nuckia holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cambridge College. She is a loving mother of a beautiful daughter. She enjoys spending time baking yummy desserts that she often donates to homeless shelters.

Tanya Lyons

Treasurer

Tanya Lyons is a Project Manager, Quality Solutions Group, for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a national accrediting entity for health insurance plans and healthcare providers that utilizes measurement, transparency, and accountability to highlight top performers and drive improvement. In her current role, Mrs. Lyons manages federal and state contracts that support and promote the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) care model.

Mrs. Lyons has over 20 years in the healthcare industry, serving in various roles that involve provider relations, quality improvement, and extensive work with community health centers. Over the span of her career, Mrs. Lyons has demonstrated the ability to manage, train, and motivate cohesive teams and has garnered expertise in the areas of training and development, client relations, and government contracting.

Mrs. Lyons holds degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Masters in Health Care Administration.

Mrs. Lyons is a professional development volunteer for So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) an interfaith, community-based service organization.

Ashelin Currie

Advisor

Dr. Ashelin R. Currie is a literacy advocate, consultant, and leader who strives to make the world a better place by working with and motivating others to learn, grow, and be passionate about reading and writing. Dr. Currie impacts literacy and learning by supporting school district leaders, literacy coaches, and teachers. She supports districts in implementing systems and state standards to build teachers’ capacity to deliver effective and appropriate literacy instruction to all students.

Before working with Oakland Schools as a literacy consultant, Dr. Currie served for seventeen years teaching students in diverse communities in multiple roles. Besides her work at the elementary and middle school level, she has taught courses at Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Mott Community College.

Dr. Currie obtained her Doctorate in Reading and Language Arts with a concentration in Emergent Literacy from Oakland University in Michigan. She earned her Master’s of Arts in Reading Education degree from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Dr. Currie also earned National Board Teacher Certification in Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading Language Arts.

Darlene Walker

Advisor

Darlene D. M. Walker is the CEO & Founder of Catapult Parent Education, LLC of Hampton, Virginia. As CEO of Catapult, Mrs.
Walker leads the agency that provides supportive family engagement opportunities and education for parents who want to build their capacity to promote and strengthen their family structures. Catapult Parent Education was established and licensed on February 5th, 2015.

Darlene is also the Founding President of BCDI-Hampton Roads (VA), an Affiliate of the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). BCDI-Hampton Roads was Chartered on April 2, 2016. This Affiliate is the only Affiliate in the state of Virginia. BCDI-Hampton Roads has a large service area, which covers the Hampton Roads region of Southeast Virginia. The purpose of the Affiliate is to implement programs, engage in advocacy, and provide services within this local community that will enhance the quality of life for Black children and their families.

Darlene is a graduate of Norfolk State University, with a degree in Social Work. She is also a Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is married with two adult sons.

Meet Our Team

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Your gift ensures at least one child receives a bookshelf.

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About Us

Our Mission

Our Vision

Who We Are

Why In-home Libraries Matter

Our Children Deserve The Right to Read

Meet Our Team

Make a Difference! Your gift ensures at least one child receives a bookshelf.

Get In Touch

Why In-home
Libraries Matter

Make a Difference!
Your gift ensures at least one child receives a bookshelf.