Readers Are Leaders (est. 2008) aims to educate and enlighten mothers about developmental learning and education for their infant child. It is about helping moms feel comfortable in using everyday life to educate their children.

The mission of Readers are Leaders (RAL), located in Southwest Detroit, provides pregnant moms and parents of children ages birth to three with skills to ensure that their children grow up ready to read and ready to succeed in school.

In 2004, according to the US Census Bureau, 33.6% of the residents of Detroit were living in poverty. Children in the city of Detroit have a one in four chance of finishing high school.

The Detroit Literacy Coalition states that 47% of the adults in the metro Detroit area are functionally illiterate. . Families in Southwest Detroit, in the Readers are Leaders catchment area, have the risk of being low income, low literacy and the added risk of being English Language Learners.

The window of opportunity exists in the first three years of life to make a real difference for children's future educational success. From the research quoted in From Neurons to Neighborhoods, it is clear that babies are born ready to learn.

Children develop faster in the first five years than at any other time in life. It is important to provide children with high-quality learning experiences, exposure to a literacy-rich environment and stable care giving during this time. RAL provides the information and resources to families so that parents can make good choices for their children's early learning at home and in the community.

RAL uses a model of education and socialization through playgroups, workshops, infant massage classes and community events. Families attend weekly groups at the Detroit Public Libraries and community centers. Parents are coached on how to interact with their children to encourage language and make the most of teachable moments. Parents receive parent education information in a short parenting session with a handout to read at home.

Workshops and special events are held monthly. At each event, children are entitled to choose a book to take home Families receive prize incentives for good attendance, and for working toward their goals. Families are rewarded not only with prizes, but by the rapid and visible improvement in their children's language and learning skills. After less than a year of operation, RAL has a loyal following in Southwest Detroit, as parents see the importance of their role as their child's first teacher.