The room at Rutgers-Newark’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall was humming last week. Despite a rainy Thursday morning, the energy inside the Teach For America New Jersey (TFA-NJ) One Day Breakfast felt like a family reunion and a strategy session all rolled into one. The theme of the morning was a nod to the vision that one day, all children will have access to an equitable education—a vision that TFA-NJ frames as a daily commitment to the power of literacy.
Tahina Perez, Executive Director of TFA-NJ, described literacy as the “right that makes every other right possible,” from understanding a mortgage to casting a ballot. The morning was a reminder that in Newark, literacy is not just an academic milestone; it is a tool for survival and soul building.
Honoring the Catalysts for Change
The event recognized local leaders who are essential to the diverse ecosystem required to support Newark’s students. The One Day Award recipients included:
• Dominique Lee (Action Award): The Founder and CEO of BRICK Education Network joined via video to remind the audience that Newark’s communities are full of brilliance and possibility.
• Shanell Dunns (Catalyst for Change Award): The Founder and CEO of Rooted Development emphasized that one person cannot be a catalyst alone—progress requires a communal effort.
• Assemblywoman Shanique Speight: Honored for her leadership in District 29, she spoke on the connection between maternal health and eventual classroom success.
The Reality of the Literacy Gap
A profound panel discussion featuring Mark Comesañas (Newark Public Schools Board Member) and Ryan Haygood (President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice) shared a sobering wake-up call: 54 percent of U.S. adults read below a sixth-grade level.
Mark shared a personal story of a teacher, Mrs. Luongo, who refused to let him fail in third grade, demonstrating the life changing impact of a single educator who refuses to accept the status quo. Ryan challenged the audience to see literacy as a form of “repair” for historical systems designed to limit opportunity, noting that the racial wealth gap and literacy outcomes are structurally linked.
A Call to Action
The breakfast concluded with a tangible win, raising over $60,000 to support the TFA-NJ mission. The speakers left the crowd with three clear charges for those who want to see the “One Day” vision become a reality:
1. Advocate: Attend school board meetings and ask how literacy laws are being implemented locally.
2. Volunteer: Sign up as a tutor or mentor through local partners.
3. Support Educators: Recognize that teachers need resources and structural support, not just praise.
{feature photo by Tamara Fleming}
