PLATFORM ONE || DARE 2 DREAM || TALIB KWELI

With special guests The Prime Meridian and Mojoe


The literacy rate amongst adults residing in Chicago is 63%, predominately lower than the 99% overall literacy rate of the entire nation. Children who are not fluent readers by fourth grade are likley to continue struggling with reading into adulthood. 75% of school dropouts report reading problems, correlating with the 50% dropout rate within Chicago Public Schools and the increasingly low literacy rate.

Platform One partnered with hip hop icon Talib Kweli and identified Working in the Schools (WITS) as an organization committed to promoting literacy and the love of reading among Chicago's under-served youth.

"I want to thank Dare 2 Dream for supporting WITS and showcasing it's outstanding work and dedicated volunteers. Working together, WITS has mobilized businesses, government and the community to help thousands of low income and minority Chicago Public School students prepare for the future by improving their reading skills." - Mayor Richard M. Daley