Clianda Florence believes that literacy is the greatest social justice issue of our time. “Housing insecurities, mental health needs, redlining: it all leads to illiteracy,” Florence says.
Inspired by her social rights activist grandfather, the late minister Franklin Florence, she learned at a young age that there is freedom and power in literacy that cannot be taken away. “My grandfather told me to think about my legacy. That’s the joy of liberation. It’s about you being able to be a conduit. It’s about the joy of being a change agent.”
After twenty years in education, Florence reflected on what she experienced first as a student and then as a teacher in Rochester city schools, from classroom to central office. “I didn’t like how family became second, the side dish.” As a mother of three children herself, she wanted parents to be seen as the first teacher and an equal partner in their child’s education.
In the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Education, 130 million adults are unable to read a simple story to their children. More than half of all adults are unable to read above a sixth-grade level. In Rochester, fifty-two percent of fourth grade students are three or more grade levels behind, and only eight percent of students K–8 are reading on grade level.
While applying for her doctorate at the University of Rochester Warner School of Education, Florence found herself writing about “Let’s Get L.I.T.,” which stands for Liberating Individuals through literary Texts, a literacy-focused, nonprofit program of her dreams. She got to work creating a family book club for her community and writing grants for funds to build home libraries and bridge the gap between home and school.
Her family summer literacy program for students from fifth through eighth grade is unique in that parents and guardians attend with their children. “I provide dinner, supplies, books, teachers—and everyone ‘gets lit’ at the same time,” says Florence. “We immerse the parents in the vocabulary that teachers use and equip them with tools so the educational jargon doesn’t intimidate them.”
While the parents are learning strategies to help their children, the students work on ELA standards and even cursive writing. And every night her culinary team makes a meal for the families— she employs a kitchen staff as well as teachers, teacher aides, and a greeter. To Florence, being liberated also means creating employment for others.
Florence believes that the L.I.T. process begins at conception and that opportunities, food policies, housing stability, love for learning, book choice, curriculum, school, and leadership all play an intricate part within that process. She understands that the relationship one has with literacy will determine how they develop and grow throughout their career and life.
Every September, Florence hosts a L.I.T. block party to celebrate literacy and uplift the small businesses in her community. She purchases brand new books for everyone and provides food, an ice cream truck, a DJ, hairdressers, Foodlink, Zumba, raffles, and more. She partnered with Cooley Comics to create a Let’s Get L.I.T. graphic novel anthology featuring local teens turned superheroes. Proceeds of the anthology are used to purchase more books for Rochester families.
After reading The Forge by Chris Fabry, Florence started thinking about how she could encourage the young men in her community, and was inspired to create the L.I.T. Twelve. This mentor group pairs twelve male “mentors of valor” with twelve “young men of valor” ranging from sixth to twelfth graders to work on reading, writing, self-reflection, and growth. Those who complete the program are given a tailored suit, haircut, and trip to South Carolina to visit the International African American Museum and dine at upscale Magnolias Restaurant. Florence says, “I want everybody to feel like somebody, no matter where they are.”
Some of her biggest influences include founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund, Marion Wright Edelman, as well as authors Marva Collins and Walter Dean Myers. Outspoken about his struggles in school, Myers has said, “We’re suggesting that [kids are] missing something if they don’t read, but, actually, we’re condemning kids to a lesser life. If you had a sick patient, you would not try to entice them to take their medicine. You would tell them, ‘Take this or you’re going to die.’ We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.”
When Florence spoke to family friend Andre Langston, owner at radio station WDKX, about her passion for improving literacy in Rochester, he gave her a platform to share her ideas, and the Let’s Get L.I.T. podcast was born. The show features interviews with guests including literacy experts, authors, and even local children. She delves deep into statistics and has honest discussions about why kids don’t like to read and what we can do to help.
In addition to providing free programs to promote literacy in Rochester, Florence is the founder and CEO of her own company, Strength 2 Say, where she offers classes, book studies, professional opportunities, and tutoring services. On top of everything else, she is also an author herself. Florence self-published two books of poetry under Strength 2 Say about navigating life after divorce.
In her years as a classroom teacher, Florence empowered her fifth graders by creating a creed for them to recite each morning where they vowed to go beyond what is expected and encourage others. She continues to keep that promise— going beyond what is expected every day for the families of Rochester. ‘
Florence has big dreams for the future, including owning her own building within the heart of Rochester where she can offer all of her community programs full time. She would love to see her summer program expanded and fully bilingual. She also wants to create more job opportunities and get everyone talking about literacy.
“I can’t do everything,” Florence admits. “But literacy is my thing. I can do this one thing and do it well. I may not live to see all of the ripples I have made in this great pond of life, but my prayer is others will latch onto this work and push it further to bring about that systemic change.” To learn more about her programs or how to get involved, visit strength2say.com.
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of (585).
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