Today we’d like to introduce you to Roderick Zak. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Need to Read (N2R) is the vision of Roderick Zak. The Zak provides leadership for Rejoice in the Lord Ministries, a non-denominational, multi-ethnic church with over 2,500 members. Roderick recalls growing up in a poor community where most of the families did not have books in their homes. He tells the story of going over to a childhood friend’s house who happened to be the smartest kid in the school. It was the first time he saw a child with his own personal library. That picture never left his mind. He promised himself that his children would have books to read at home. Zak believes that owning books creates an atmosphere where there is a higher chance for children to start and continue reading.
N2R is a Florida nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. N2R’s program grew out of a desire to eliminate childhood illiteracy among low-income families. We have developed a national pilot program for enhancing literacy among children, which is one of the most extraordinary challenges facing our nation. Tragically, low-literate toddlers become low-literate teenagers and adults. N2R’s program seeks to confront this national crisis head-on.
N2R has established their first program initiatives in Central Florida to serve as a national pilot aimed at combatting childhood illiteracy for children 0-4 years of age. Far too many American children are underexposed to words, books, and reading materials, which is magnified in minority communities. Even more disconcerting is the fact that most literacy programs focus on older children when 85% of a child’s core brain structure is developed before the age of five. By the time children from low-income families enter kindergarten, they are 12-14 months below national norms in language and pre-reading skills. Consequently, there is an alarming gap in early childhood literacy in low-income and minority communities. N2R seeks to confront this alarming gap.
The targeted age (0-4) and the make-up of our site partners makes our program unique. Our site partners (such as community centers, childcare centers, and local faith-based organizations) are based in the heart of the targeted communities we seek to empower.
Objectives: 1) Create: Provide free, bundled reading books to low-income families to encourage an enriching reading environment for their Pre-K children. At our partner sites in Central Florida in the next year, build ten reading centers which also serve as book distribution locations. The program will distribute “book bundles” (4 books per bundle) to Pre-K children. Plus, provide training and guidance to parents on the importance of early reading skills.
2) Grow: Building on the success of the N2R’s pilot program, develop a strategic, sustainable national trust/foundation that raises funds and distributes N2R “book bundles” to low-income families nationally.
3) Sustain: An app will be available for a nominal fee to all households with small children. Sponsorships will be provided for our low-income partners. The app will provide early literacy resources and books. The book bundles will also be made available to the public at an affordable rate and the proceeds reinvested back into the program to support needy families. For example, buy 1, give 1 to a family that can’t afford it.
The N2R program inspires and informs parents to prioritize: 1) pre-literacy by providing book bundles to needy families that match the age and stage of their children; 2) family training stressing the importance of early reading skills; 3) community storytime programs; and 4) reading rooms (200 titles) in partner organizations. We will expand our current weekly storytimes to communities near our participating partners. Our website is www.feedtheneedtoread.com.
N2R’s first reading center is located 1 mile from South Apopka. There have been over 25,000 brand new books given away, in the past two years, to children ages 0-5, each child receiving six or more books.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For an upstart non-profit obtaining funding is always a challenge, however, we are gaining traction.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Senior pastor and co-founder of Rejoice in the Lord Ministries, a church in the heart of Central Florida area with over 2,500 members. Rejoice also reaches thousands via online platforms every week. While the ministry appeals to all ages, the average age of the partners is 35. In 2009, a 1200 seat Worship Center was constructed under Pastor Zak’s leadership.
A Non-Profit organization whose purpose is to combat low literacy in children in underserved communities. In less than two years N2R has given away 25,000 books, established three reading corners (with 200 titles) and facilitated parenting training for over 2000 households.
Producer and television evangelist for Serving This Generation, a local television ministry for 15 years. A ministry that was recognized for its diverse audience appeal in the Central Florida community.
Created a program celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his community partners include major corporations, Orange County Public Schools, and the FAMU Law School. The program has been in existence for five years. It attracts 3,000 attendees to the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center for the celebration, which includes students from 50 local middle schools. It facilitates an essay contest for the students with cash awards for each school’s winner and the overall winner.
Former Chair and Co-Founder of the Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance, Inc. A community partnership that worked to develop and enhance businesses in the Central Florida area. Board members included the Presidents of Disney, Universal and both County and City Mayors.
Master of Divinity, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia, (Valedictorian of his class). Bachelor of Science, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama. Ordained in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Civic & Religious Involvement
• President of African American Council of Christian Clergy
• Board member of the African American Leadership Consortium
• Selected by Orange County Mayor to serve on the Orange County MLK Commission
• Member of Converge Worldwide, a movement with over 1,500 churches nationwide and 20 mega-churches with 10,000 or more members
• Is a life coach and advisor to corporate and governmental leaders
• Facilitated training/teaching across the US in Church growth
• Former Board Member of Phillips School of Theology
• Former Board Member of Miles College, Birmingham, AL
• Former Board Member of Central Florida YMCA
• Former Board Member of the Metropolitan Urban League
• Former President of Orlando Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
• Finalist for 2020 Eagle Awards by the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. • Featured in national publications – Jet, Ebony, and Upscale Magazines. • Author of Winning is Everything (Urban Ministries 2003). • Selected by the Orange County Mayor to be the Clergy Representative for the Orange County Government’s Economic Recovery Task Force, and Co-chaired the Business Compliance & Consumer Confidence Working Group
• Contributing writer for African American Devotional Bible (Zondervan Publishing). • Proclaimed by CBS affiliate WKMG-TV 6 of Orlando to be “One of the most powerful pastors in Central Florida”. • Recognized on two occasions with a day named in his honor by the Orange County Chairman and the Mayor of Orlando. • Earned an intercollegiate athletic scholarship in basketball from Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL.
Pastor Zak and his wife Vanessa have four adult children and three grandchildren. As a family man, Zak is known for his insightful teaching on family and relationships. He believes that God has given us the family unit to nurture the next generation and do His work in our world.
How do you think about happiness?
Serving and meeting the needs of people.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@feedtheneedtoread.com
- Website: www.feedtheneedtoread.com, www.rejoiceinthelord.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feedtheneedtoread
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0WrmzfEf-uCfllUME5gkA
