Message from the Founder & CEO

In the tradition of the African Maasai warriors, a common greeting is, “Eserian nakera?”—which means, “And how are the children?”
The customary response is, “All the children are well.”

At Always Reading, we ask this same question: How are the children?
And today, the answer is urgent—our children need books now more than ever.

That’s why we remain deeply committed to providing free, carefully selected books to children in need. Literacy is a foundation for everything, and supporting it is one of the most powerful investments we can make in a child’s future. We're also working to help children build personal home libraries—spaces of imagination, discovery, and empowerment.

Please consider supporting our Achieving Through Reading and Community Giving program.
To date, we’ve placed over 50,000 free books into the hands of children who need them most.

This year, our goal is to triple that number.

Thank you for your continued support—and may all the children be well.

Please stay safe and healthy and may “All the children be well.”

Ramona Johnson/Always Reading/Founder & CEO

About the CEO:

Ramona Johnson, CEO & Founder of Always Reading, has more than 30 years of experience in housing and community development and has spent most of that time focused on underserved populations and minority groups.

In July 2004, Johnson was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve a 5-year term on the Baltimore County Board of Education.  She was reappointed in August 2009 to another 5-year term. 

She has and continues to devote her life to helping children.