About
Beyond Literacy
ABOUT US
Our History
In spring 2021, the merger between Center for Literacy (CFL) and Community Learning Center (CLC) brought together 87 total years of literacy experience that has created lasting, positive impacts, not just for individual students, but for their families and the community at large. By uniting together, the combined agency – renamed Beyond Literacy – goes above and beyond to offer strong transformational services and classes to those seeking a way to a better life.
Center for Literacy: Born as a volunteer tutoring program in 1968 in West Philadelphia, Center for Literacy (CFL) quickly expanded to other areas of Philadelphia in need of adult tutoring. The demand for tutoring services soon exceeded the availability of volunteer tutors, and CFL began adding classroom instruction for adult education. Preparation classes for the GED® test soon followed, and in a few short years CFL was offering free neighborhood classes throughout Philadelphia. In 2019, CFL’s headquarters and classes relocated to Peirce College with additional classes held at neighborhood locations across Philadelphia.
Community Learning Center: In 1987, founder Jean Fleschute launched an adult education program called Community Learning Center (CLC), meeting a dire local need for adults who had not finished high school. Starting with 67 students, Ms. Fleschute and devoted volunteers taught classes in the Germantown, Kensington, and West Oak Lane neighborhoods and began CLC’s hallmark of student-centered education that promotes a love of lifelong learning. In 1994, Community Learning Center became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Throughout its history CLC, established its reputation as an outcome-driven organization.
Beyond Literacy
Greater capacity. Greater impact.
Together we have the ability and opportunity to reach, serve, and impact more individuals, families, and communities. As the largest literacy organization in Philadelphia, we are positioned to provide more opportunities to our learners than ever before through innovative partnerships, accessible services, and close relationships with diverse communities citywide.
CHOOSE US
Beyond Literacy
Our Mission
To expand opportunities and improve lives by unleashing the power of literacy through free, high-quality education.
Our Vision
Adults empowered beyond literacy; children, youth, and families inspired; our communities thriving; our city transformed.
Our Values
Belonging: We create a positive environment where all learners may experience a sense of belonging and worth.
Equity: We provide equal access to education to combat systemic injustices that lead to unequal opportunities.
Lifelong learning: We believe everyone can learn and grow throughout their lives.
Inclusion: We foster an inclusive space in which all cultures, traditions, and social identities are welcomed.
Transparency: We are sincere and accountable to each other and our community.
Financial Statements from Beyond Literacy
Click here to view our financial statements for transparency.
Strategic Plan Executive Summary
Click here to view our Strategic Plan Executive Summary.
2024 Impact Report
Coming Soon!
2023 Impact Report
Click here to view our 2023 Impact Report.
2022 Impact Report
Click here to view our 2022 Impact Report.
2021 Impact Report
Click here to view our 2021 Impact Report.
BOARD
Board of Directors
Julie Jones | President | Drexel University
Enrico Crispo | Vice President | IKEA
Pratik Butala | Treasurer | Vanguard
Ivy McDaniels | Secretary | Alliance for Decision Education
Ted Baumgardner | The Baumgardner Group
Denise Cifelli | University of Pennsylvania
Jeffrey Daman | Daman and Associates
Ashley Del Bianco | University of Pennsylvania
Alison DiFlorio | Exude Inc.
Charlie Douglas | Comcast
Jessika Faulkner | Citizens Bank
Hon. James Giles | Blank Rome Law Offices
Beth Gonzales | Office of Homeless Services, City of Philadelphia
Michelle Grimley | Teachtown
Barbara Halpern | Halpern Law Office
Zeidane Javar | Beyond Literacy Learner Becky Leimkuhler | Deloitte Consulting
John Lyons | IBX Foundation
Roy Pappan | PECO
Dr. Erica Patterson | Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)
Carol Saline | Saline Solutions Marion Sindoni | Strategic Communications Leader
STAFF
Executive Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
Kimmell Proctor, M.Ed.
Chief Program and Impact Officer
Dawn Hannah, M.A.
Get in touch with Dawn at [email protected]
Chief Operating Officer
Sara Manning
Sara joined Beyond Literacy as Chief Operating Officer in August 2023. She has held senior leadership positions at Mental Health Partnerships, The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, White-Williams Scholars (now Heights Philadelphia) and the American Heart Association. Sara has 18 years of nonprofit management experience in development, communications, operations, board relations, and events. In her prior roles, she built her expertise in implementing new systems for greater efficiencies, leading efforts to increase and diversify organizational revenues, and raising brand awareness.
Before entering the nonprofit sector, Sara held several account management positions in major broadcast, cable, print and radio with Fox Philadelphia, KYW-TV, Metro Philadelphia and Radio One. During her tenure, she spearheaded creative partnerships with several nonprofit organizations resulting in increased community engagement and exposure for all parties.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Temple University and is a first-generation college graduate. An active member in her South Jersey community, Sara is a founding board member of The Victory Group, a nonprofit based in Westville, NJ, which addresses basic needs within surrounding underserved communities around food insecurity, clothing essentials, education, and job training. Early in her career, Sara served as a volunteer for the Center for Literacy. She is excited that her career journey has brought her full circle to Beyond Literacy.
Get in touch with Sara at smanning@beyondliteracy.org
STAFF
Leadership Team
Director of Education
Gianna Brisbone, M.S.
Gianna is dedicated to helping others utilize education to become the best versions of themselves. She grew up in North Philadelphia and experienced many of the systemic inequities that still plague urban areas today. Thankfully, she was able to receive excellent educational experiences. It was those experiences that allowed her to gain access to a variety of opportunities. She believes that having options makes all the difference in life. Therefore, she strives to ensure that others receive high-quality academic instruction, so that they will have choices about what they want to do with their lives and who they want to become.
Gianna currently serves as the Director of Education for Beyond Literacy. Her previous roles include Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies teacher, In-House Professional Development Specialist, Academic Coordinator, and Neuroscience researcher. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Neuroscience degrees from Delaware State University. She also earned her Master of Science degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Get in touch with Gianna at [email protected]
Director of Workforce Solutions
Rochelle T. Cooks
Rochelle received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and Master of Education in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University. She is enjoys going to concerts and comedy shows.
Get in touch with Rochelle at [email protected]
Director of Student Support & Digital Navigation Programs
Kieran Farrell
Kieran has worked to support a variety of at-risk populations throughout her career. She began her career as a Residential Caseworker for dually diagnosed homeless men and women in Philadelphia and New York. She shifted into Adult Education in 2010 while working with a small tutoring program supporting low-income Philadelphians developing basic literacy skills. It was in this role that Kieran recognized the immense need for adult education services in Philadelphia and realized its impact on the family unit and our larger community. She began working with Community Learning Center in 2012 as Student Support Coordinator and became Director of the Student Support Program (SSP) and Digital Equity at BeLit in 2022. Kieran leads a team of Student Support Coordinators and Digital Navigators to support learners’ goals and ensure access to the social service and digital access supports needed to be successful. Kieran has a BA in Latin American Studies and Peace and Justice Studies from Fordham University.
Get in touch with Kieran at [email protected]
Director of Enrollment & Placement
Kelly Griebert
Kelly is invested in building and strengthening community to foster the development of a more equitable world. She is passionate about how Beyond Literacy’s focus on providing adults and families with access to high quality education plays a small, but impactful, role in this work.
Kelly graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Biology and minors in Spanish and Gender Studies. Initially unsure of the type of job she wanted to pursue, Kelly began working as an SAT & ACT tutor for high school students. She quickly found a home in the education field, but was eager to utilize her skills and experience in an administrative capacity. After tutoring for two years, Kelly began working as an Intake Coordinator and Office Associate at Community Learning Center (CLC). She has since held a few different positions at CLC and BeLit that have enabled her to help develop an intake and enrollment process that makes it easier for prospective learners to begin their education journeys. Kelly currently serves as the Director of Enrollment & Placement.
Get in touch with Kelly at [email protected]
Director of Communications
Amanda Labrador
Amanda is passionate about strengthening and expanding our new agencies impact to directly combat systemic injustices in Philadelphia. As Director of Communications, she is committed to creating partnerships that align with our agency’s collective action to create empowered and equitable opportunities for our learners. Amanda earned her B.A. in Mass Communications and Women’s Studies from Towson University. Previously, she served as Director of Events at the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce where she developed dozens of corporate events focused on city-wide economic and workplace initiatives for minorities, women, and young professionals. She was co-editor and designer of the InBusiness Magazine, as well as being a contributing writer.
Get in touch with Amanda at [email protected]
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Faiza Manzoor
Faiza brings a passion for education and operational excellence to Beyond Literacy. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Psychology and International Relations, attending Stanford as a result of the Fulbright – Sutton Trust US Programme.
In her previous role as Chief Operating Officer and Business Manager at The Stanford Daily Publishing Corporation, Faiza was responsible for overseeing operations, managing budgets, leading fundraiisng initatives, and the financial performance of the company. As the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Beyond Literacy, Faiza leverages her nonprofit operational experience, strategic vision, and dedication to educational equity to drive impactful change and empower learners.
Get in touch with Faiza at [email protected].
STAFF
Staff
Makiyah Adams | Workforce Student Support Coordinator
Niema Alfred | Intake Coordinator
Michael Antosch, M.Ed. | Education Manager (ESOL)
Deborah Arnold | Communications & Special Events Specialist
Luriel Balaurea | Instructional Technology Specialist
Amy Bell | Instructor
Louisa Benatovich | Intake Coordinator
Karen Bennett | Instructor
Mitchell Berger, Ed.D. | Instructor
Lindsay Blade | Student Support Coordinator
Ivry Bland | Workforce Development Manager
Scott Bostwick | Intake Coordinator
Imani Burrus | Instructor
Tiffani Clemons | Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Suzy Czarkowski, M.Ed., M.A. | Instructor
Ashley Davis | Full-Time Instructor
Jemal Davis | Facilities and IT Coordinator
Susan DeSeyn | Business Operations Specialist
Warren Dobney | Instructor
Steven Doncaster | Student Enrollment Specialist
Carl Gugasian | Instructor
Patricia Haggerty | Instructor
Song Han | Instructor
Steve Hawkins, M.Ed. | Instructor
Aliocha Haynes | Instructor and Intake Coordinator
Clarece Hicks | Intake Coordinator
Kristen Hodge | Data and Intake Coordinator
Roberta Hodges | Senior Site Coordinator
Andrew Hoffman | ESL Instructor
Mercy Howard | Student Support Coordinator
Mara Imms | Instructor
Shaina Kapeluck, M.S.Ed. | Instructor
Lorna Laster-Jackson | Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Gabrielle Lanciano | School Partnerships Manager
Joanne Laub | Education Manager
Nancy Lawrence Hill, M.S. | Instructor
Fatimah Wilson Leach | Full-Time Instructor
Anna Claire (AC) Loper | Development Manager
Richard Lopez | Finance Manager
Zaire Martin | Digital Navigation Specialist
Carolanne Mitchell, M.Ed. | Tutor and Classroom Aide Coordinator
Tim Morris, Ph.D | Instructor
Maryellen Norek | Student Support Coordinator
Vinny Ong | Intake Specialist
Megan Reamer | Instructor
Iris Rivera | Intake Coordinator
Heather Robinson | Instructor
Alexis Smith, M.A. | Instructor
Vivian Sevick | Intake & ESOL SSP Coordinator
Saumya Srivastava | Instructor
Mike Stevens | Instructor
Vicki Szondy | Instructional Technology Specialist
Rachel Tillman | Student Support Coordinator
Nicole Tomassi | Instructor
Claire Tucker | Data Quality Manager
Jaider Urrea | Intake Coordinator
Melissa Valle | Instructor
Monica Vasturia | Data & Assessment Specialist
Daniel Waters | Instructor
Jelani Wilson | Student Support Coordinator
Samira Woods, M.A | Instructor
Christine Zopf | Instructor