Community Highlights: Meet Rhea LeGrande of Lead to Read KC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea LeGrande.

Hi Rhea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey has always been rooted in education and equity. I grew up loving to read, but it didn’t come easily to me at first. That struggle shaped my passion for literacy and led me to pursue a career in education. Over the years, I worked in schools, nonprofits, and advocacy spaces, always centering my work on ensuring students, especially those in under-resourced communities, have the tools they need to succeed.
Before stepping into my role at Lead to Read KC, I spent over a decade working in educational equity, serving as Chief Program Officer for Teach For America Kansas City and leading teacher development efforts, helping found Educator Academy, and working directly in schools as an Instructional Coach and Teacher. I’ve also consulted with a number of organizations committed to supporting educators, developing DEI programming, and strengthening community partnerships.
Lead to Read KC felt like the perfect intersection of my experiences and passions. Literacy is a foundational part of freedom; when kids can read, they can access opportunities, dream bigger, and take control of their futures. In my role as Executive Director, I’m focused on expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and making sure every child in Kansas City has access to literacy mentorship and resources.

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?
Definitely not a smooth road, but every challenge has reinforced why this work matters. One of the biggest struggles is navigating systemic barriers like education funding gaps, inequitable access to resources, and the long-standing disparities that affect literacy rates in Kansas City.
From an organizational standpoint, we’re always balancing the need for growth with ensuring quality. Nonprofits rely on partnerships, funding, and community support, and I’ve learned that sustainability requires constant adaptability.
Personally, I’ve also had to challenge the norms of leadership. As a woman of color in nonprofit leadership, I’ve often had to advocate not just for the communities I serve, but for my own voice in decision-making spaces. The weight of this work is real, but so is the impact. Seeing a child light up when they realize they can read and that their world just got that much bigger and that much more joyful, that’s what keeps me going.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about real transformation. Of course, we track reading growth and program impact, but success is also when more and more parts of our city feel an ownership in our collective literacy rates or when a company makes literacy their priority or a student who once struggled with confidence finds joy in reading. It’s when a mentor and child build a meaningful connection that lasts beyond the classroom.
Success is also about systemic change. Are we shifting mindsets about literacy as a civil right? Are we building a city where every child, regardless of zip code, has the literacy skills to thrive? Those are the questions that drive me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leadtoreadkc.org