Pranati Kumar

About Pranati Kumar

The question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to- MWE May our work be in service of the ancestors and descendants.Because ALL children and families deserve a quality educational experience. Proud Konkani Immigrant | Educator | Mom | TedX Speaker2015 NYC SA Teacher Excellence of the Year Award2016 NYC SA Teacher Excellence of the Year Award2021 Palm Beach Illustrated Education Institution of the Year Finalist2022 YWCA Dorothy Height Racial Justice Award Finalist2022 Anti-Defamation League of FL Community Change Maker Winner2022 SFBW Diversity and Inclusion Business Honoree2022 Chamber of Commerce of the PB Diversity Business of the Year Finalist2022 Path to College Education Champion of the Year2022 Jupiter Magazine’s “Ones to Watch” 2022 Cultural Council\'s Top Bookstores in South Florida2022 Essence Magazine Top 5 Places to Visit in PB2022 Hello Alice ANTARES Reach Grantee Winner2022 Palm Beach Illustrated Educator of the Year Finalist2022 Thrillest List of Top Bookstores in South Florida2022 Modern Luxury Palm Beach Philanthropists of the Year2022 New Voices New Rooms SIBA and NAIBA Community Work Award2023 Southern Living and Yahoo\'s Top 20 Bookstores in Florida2023 TedX Speaker- The Power of Critical Literacy2023 \"Best Community Bookstore for Families\" by Florida Weekly2023 Palm Beach County School District \"We\'re All In\" Champion for Equity Award2023 Chamber of the Palm Beaches Diversity Organization of the Year Award2023 Compass LGBTQIA+ Center Guiding Light Award2023 Out South Florida \"Best Kept Secret\" Winner2023 Grow Lit Social Justice Award Winner2024 NLC Race for Change Award Winner2024 NAACP Grantee Winner2024 Cadence Cash Grantee Winner2023 Speak Up for Kids Ambassador20••••23 Natural Movers Foundation Board Member20••••24 Book Art Musical Festival Board Member20••••24 Watson Institute x Lynn University Professor20••••24 Norton Teach Council Member

Experience

1. CEO and Founder

   Rohi\'s Liberation Station 501c3

   Dec 2023 — Present · West Palm Beach, FL, US

   Mission:Rohi’s Liberation Station 501c3, a non-profit initiative by Rohi\'s Readery, honors historically marginalized communities through a multigenerational literacy learning approach.We focus on three essential components of critical literacy:1. Early Childhood Reading Readiness through Arts and Culture: Enhancing early literacy skills using creative and cultural experiences. We believe that children are innately brilliant and through intentional, engaging experiences can develop strong reading habits that prepare them for the future.2. Community Social and Emotional Well-Being: Promoting mental and emotional health through inclusive and supportive literacy programs. We recognize that critical literacy learning can address trauma and foster reflection for all ages, thus we emphasize our work and programming in collective healing.3. Storytelling: Using storytelling to develop critical literacy skills and honor diverse narratives. We recognize that storytelling holds the power to connect people, preserve cultures, and challenge dominant narratives, making it a vital tool for learning and social change. How we define literacy learning:The process of developing the ability to understand, interpret, and create meaning through various forms of communication, including reading, writing, oral storytelling, song, art, dance, movement and music to name a few. It encompasses the skills needed to comprehend and express ideas across multiple modes of expression and cultural contexts.How we define critical literacy:The ability to actively analyze and question the messages within various texts and media, recognizing underlying social, political, and cultural contexts and power dynamics. It encourages readers to challenge and transform these messages to promote equity and social justice.

Education

• University of Florida

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Integrative Biology

  2003 — 2007

• University of Florida College of Medicine

  Master of Science - MS, Medical Sciences

  2007 — 2009

• Touro University

  Master of Science - MS, Education/Special Education Childhood

  2013 — 2014

• Harvard Graduate School of Education

  Culturally Responsive Literature Instruction Certification

  2019 — 2019