Reading Partners Baltimore is a nonprofit organization that engages community volunteers to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. We seek to create a more equitable future, one where every child in Baltimore has the support they deserve to become strong readers and lifelong learners.
Reading Partners Baltimore is powered by AmeriCorps, a federal agency for national service. We mobilize AmeriCorps members to recruit and coach volunteers, support students during and outside of tutoring sessions, work on capacity-building projects, and so much more.
Meet our team
Zenobia comes to us with more than 20 years of experience as a nonprofit leader with a strong track record working in the public and private sectors, including in healthcare, housing, education, and family investment. Most recently, Zenobia served as the director of student life & residential for The SEED School of Maryland, a statewide college-preparatory public boarding school where students live and learn on campus Sunday–Friday. Prior to her current role, Zenobia served as the chief executive officer of a regional association focused on developing non-profit, private, and public service organizations. She has held many other leadership roles in large and small educational, health and human service organizations. Zenobia holds bachelorʼs degrees in business and behavioral sciences and a masterʼs degree in business and organizational management. When she is not working, Zenobia enjoys historical excursions and serving as an amateur family genealogist. She is married with two adult children.
Keyna is a seasoned network engagement professional with a multidisciplinary background in city and state government, private sector, and non-profit organizations, spanning ten years. As the community engagement manager, she will manage the onboarding and training for volunteer tutors, facilitate the retention and recruitment of community partners, and report critical volunteer insights throughout the Baltimore region. Keyna is no stranger to Reading Partners Baltimore, having served as a volunteer in 2014. She is excited to come back and find new ways to work with the community to close the literacy opportunity gap. Keyna earned her bachelor’s in Political Science from Saint Francis University.
Nere Eyeguokan is a former elementary and middle school teacher, having taught in Baltimore City Public Schools for 5 years. A Teach For America alumni, he is committed to working towards educational equity for all students in Baltimore and beyond. Nere has worked with youth in grades K-12 in various capacities, including teaching, coaching, and mentoring. He also has experience building and leading teams in the nonprofit sector. Nere believes scholars in Baltimore City are brilliant and that their brilliance shows up in multiple unique ways, and it’s his role to break down the barriers and obstacles that may prevent them from realizing their brilliance and potential. Nere earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Leadership Studies from Frostburg State University. Outside of Reading Partners, Nere is a hobbyist analog photographer and enjoys binge-watching TV series.
A native of Baltimore, Nancy attended Baltimore City public schools. Visits to the Enoch Pratt Free Library are among the earliest and most vivid memories of her childhood. She received her MA from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and completed the Certified Nonprofit Management Program at The Johns Hopkins University. Nancy has worked in Baltimore’s nonprofit sector for more than 25 years, with a focus on raising funds for education, affordable housing, and workforce development. She believes in the power of mutually supportive collaborations to create positive change. In addition to loving her work, Nancy enjoys reading books about history and political intrigue as well as works of fiction. She is also a budding beekeeper.
A seasoned elementary school educator, Jenna prides herself on her focus on equitable treatment and consideration for all students through strategic partnerships, relationships, and ethical decision-making practices. Jenna joins Reading Partners after more than seven years of experience teaching within Baltimore City Public Schools and in Accra, Ghana. As a program manager, she is excited to continue supporting Baltimore students and collaborate within the nonprofit community in a new capacity. Jenna earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Goucher College. Outside of Reading Partners, she loves to cook and believes that food is one of the best ways to learn and connect with people and communities.
A native of Baltimore, Crystal was educated in Baltimore County Public Schools and attended Coppin State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, minoring in early childhood education. She’s worked with infants to kindergarteners in various education settings. Her work is not limited to children; she also mentors and trains volunteers. She joined Reading Partners as an AmeriCorps regional site coordinator, became staff as a program associate, and is now a program director. As an educator, she realizes that literacy is the foundation for success in learning and life. She believes that to help someone succeed, you must provide the right care and attention. In addition to working with children, Crystal enjoys working with administrators, educators, specialists, parents, and the greater community; she believes that educating children is a collaborative effort.
A Baltimore native, Jessica first discovered her passion for working with children during her service as a Reading Partners AmeriCorps member in 2018. She continued serving as an AmeriCorps member for three service terms, supporting students, tutors, and staff at Holabird Academy, piloting Reading Partners Connects online tutoring program, and holding leadership positions within her AmeriCorps cohort. Jessica most recently served the Baltimore community as a full-time tutor with the Success For All Foundation, tutoring with the Lightning Squad. She is excited to return to Reading Partners Baltimore and support AmeriCorps members as a program associate.
From Goosebumps to Harry Potter, reading has played a large role in Christine’s life since childhood. She is thrilled to join the Reading Partners team and use her marketing and communications skills to positively impact Baltimore students and spread a love of reading. Christine comes to Reading Partners from the education company, Pearson, where she spent six years supporting publicity efforts for its full-time online public schools. Prior to this, Christine completed an AmeriCorps year of service with the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor’s StepUP volunteerism initiative, organizing the Supper Club program in juvenile justice centers across the city. She earned a bachelor’s degree from La Salle University and a master’s degree in communication management from Towson University.
Regional advisory board
Trey Bennett, senior manager of corporate partnership sales, Baltimore Ravens
Kris Caverly, vice president, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., Chair
Quinn Collins, founder, Collins + Co.
Ismanuela Denis, program associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Marla Johnson, magistrate, Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Stephen Plank, VP, research, evaluation, evidence & data, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Brendan Regan, principal, director of investments, Marketing
Ashlyn Sowell, associate vice president for campaign operations and engagement, Johns Hopkins University
Nick Umosella, development manager, The Bozzuto Group
Hershel Waites, foreign exchange sales trader, M&T Bank