FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA, GA. – In a milestone achievement, Heather Phillips, Preface’s Director of Educational Standards, was named to the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta (YNPN) 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 - an exciting accomplishment awarded in recognition of her immense educational impacts to the Preface model and the education of the next generation in Georgia and across America.
“I am still pinching myself that I am a part of the YNPN Atlanta 30 Under 30 Class of 2022,” said Phillips. “It is so exciting and such an honor to be representing Preface among Atlanta’s leaders!”
“Preface is an organization so close to my heart and one I am so passionate about,” she continued. “This award is so special to me because, as I accept it for Preface, I know that I am also accepting it on behalf of all the Ambassadors and elementary students who are a part of the Preface family. We truly could not do what we do, shaping the face of literacy education, without the amazing students and schools we partner with.”
The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta recognizes 30 individuals in Georgia each year who display exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to their communities. YNPN recognizes the importance of current young nonprofit leaders, because their impacts today shape the future of the Atlanta philanthropic community and beyond.
Phillips’s selection and inclusion in the prestigious class of nonprofit professionals represents Preface’s second appearance on the 30 Under 30 List, following Founder & Executive Director Jonathan “JT” Wu’s inclusion in 2020.
Preface’s Founder & Executive Director, Jonathan “JT” Wu, congratulated Phillips on her exceptional achievement, stating, “All of us at Preface are beyond thrilled that the YNPN Atlanta 30 Under 30 Selection Committee has chosen to recognize Heather for her outstanding contributions to the educational and philanthropic communities here in the Peach State. Heather is an amazing educator who has been nothing short of instrumental in designing, implementing, and training all of our Ambassadors nationwide since Preface’s first programs began – so this award couldn’t be more timely or more well-deserved!”
Growing rapidly since its inception in 2019, Preface has since become one of the leading childhood literacy charities in America, receiving numerous awards and extensive media coverage for its impacts bringing literacy to the next generation in both in-person and hybrid peer-to-peer relational models. In as little as 10 weeks, trained high school “Ambassadors” who mentor students using Preface’s individualized virtual or in-person models have helped young children progress from functionally illiterate to reading at or above grade level - even during the challenges of COVID-19.
With the U.S. Department of Education reporting that over two-thirds of America’s children are still struggling to read at grade level by the fourth grade post-pandemic, Phillips continues to help lead the charge as Preface scales and grows its presence across the country – and, increasingly, the globe.
“I feel truly blessed to be a part of an organization that works to give each and every student individualized literacy support, while creating lasting friendships and mentorships at the same time,” Phillips concluded. “Working with the Preface team to create Ambassador trainings and providing insights on educational best practices is one of the best parts of my day and week; and it is something I feel truly honored to have been a part of since the beginning.”
As Preface continues to grow, their mission remains the same. Supporting children by Equality through Education will remain Preface's core mission— and they are grateful to have YNPN Atlanta’s support as they continue their impact on children all over the nation.
About Preface:
Founded in 2019, Preface is a public-private philanthropic initiative dedicated to fostering Equality Through Education and early childhood literacy - often with a multilingual twist! Partnering with educators and community leaders, Preface empowers local high schoolers to give back to their communities and bridge opportunity gaps by fostering literacy among young students of all backgrounds. A federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization, Preface is proudly headquartered in Gwinnett County, Georgia and serves communities across America. Learn more at www.PrefaceProject.org.
For further inquiries, contact:
Devon Naftzger
Chief Marketing Officer
Preface Public Relations
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