By: K. Monroe Carter
Katina’s Klassroom has been awarded a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) to support its Read and Rise initiative, a community-centered literacy program designed to strengthen reading engagement and cultural awareness among children and families in Simpson County.
The Read and Rise initiative focuses on increasing access to books, promoting family literacy, and creating meaningful learning experiences rooted in Mississippi history, culture, and storytelling. Through interactive reading activities, community discussions, and youth-focused programming, the project aims to encourage a lifelong love of reading while helping participants better understand themselves and the world around them.
“We are deeply grateful to the Mississippi Humanities Council for investing in our community and believing in the power of literacy,” said Katina Rankin, founder of Katina’s Klassroom. “This support allows us to not only put books into children’s hands, but to create experiences that uplift voices, spark curiosity, and strengthen families.”
Funding from the Mississippi Humanities Council will help cover educational materials, books, programming costs, and community engagement activities connected to Read and Rise. The initiative is part of Katina’s Klassroom’s ongoing mission to address literacy gaps in rural and underserved communities across Simpson and Covington counties.
“We’re thrilled to support Katina’s Klassroom and the Read and Rise initiative,” said Carol Andersen, assistant director of the Mississippi Humanities Council and director of the Council’s grants program. “Katina’s work shows the heart of what the humanities are all about—bringing people together through stories, helping families connect and reminding children that their voices and experiences matter.”
Community members will have opportunities to participate in upcoming Read and Rise events throughout the year. Dates, locations, and additional details will be announced soon.
For more information about Katina’s Klassroom and the Read and Rise initiative, visit social media or contact the organization directly.
About Katina’s Klassroom
Katina’s Klassroom is a Mississippi-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy, educational equity, and access to learning resources for children and families in rural communities.
About the Mississippi Humanities Council
The Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes a deeper understanding of the humanities, including history, literature, and culture, across the state of Mississippi. Through grants, programs, and partnerships, MHC supports community-based projects that encourage lifelong learning, civic engagement, and thoughtful dialogue.
