Alfonso Bartee II - I Would Rather Be Reading 2026

I believe education can open doors, but sometimes it takes someone else believing in you to help you see that the door is there.

Much of my journey has centered around education, mentorship, leadership, and creating opportunities for others. As a student pursuing both my undergraduate degree and graduate education in Higher Education Leadership at Bellarmine University, I have experienced how education can shape confidence, expand possibilities, and change the direction of someone’s future.

That is a big reason why the mission of I Would Rather Be Reading means so much to me.

Through my work with IWRBR, I have the opportunity to connect volunteers, businesses, universities, community organizations, and individuals with meaningful ways to support Louisville’s children. I have seen how powerful it can be when a community comes together around young people and reminds them that there are people who care about their success.

My passion for this work extends beyond IWRBR. Whether I am mentoring young people, supporting educational programs, serving through my fraternity and community organizations, or helping connect people with resources and opportunities, I try to use every space I am in to make room for someone else.

For me, literacy is about much more than learning how to read. It gives children the ability to learn independently, express themselves, explore new opportunities, and begin imagining what their future could look like. Every child deserves that foundation and deserves people in their corner encouraging them along the way.

That is why I am proud to support I Would Rather Be Reading during Give for Good Louisville. I have the privilege of seeing the work behind the scenes, meeting the people who make it possible, and witnessing how much our community cares about the children and families we serve.

I hope you will join me in giving back. Every donation helps us provide more children with literacy support, enrichment, encouragement, and opportunities to discover just how much they are capable of achieving.

Together, we can open more doors and make sure our kids know they have an entire community cheering them on.