Welcome to another powerful episode of The Remedy with Dr. Rani Whitfield, where medicine, music, literacy, and other hot topics meet. I'm your host, Dr. Rani, also known as Tha Hip Hop Doc. And today we're diving into something that can change the course of a child's life, reading. I just launched my book tour kicking it off with reading at three amazing schools in East Baton Rouge Parish. The kids were engaged, locked in, and the energy was contagious. Special thanks to Superintendent Lamont Cole and the East Baton Rouge Parish school system for giving me the opportunity to share my book and my passion for reading with these brilliant students. Let's talk about why literacy matters, why I'm so passionate about this topic, and how we can inspire the next generation. I'm going to hit you with some real numbers to set the tone. 130 million adults in the United States read below a 6th grade level. 21 percent of adults in the U. S. are functionally illiterate, meaning that they struggle to complete everyday tasks like reading a prescription or filling out a job application. In my state of Louisiana, 16 percent of adults are illiterate. Higher than the national average. Our state ranks near the bottom in literacy rates, and only 29 percent of 4th graders read proficiently. Let that sink in. Nearly 1 third of our kids in Louisiana are starting middle school without strong reading skills. These numbers just don't represent a literacy issue. They are tied directly to poverty, incarceration, health disparities, you name it. Literacy isn't just a statistic, it's a pipeline to poverty, prison, and poor health. This isn't a new struggle, especially for African Americans in this country. Back in the 1800s, it was illegal to teach enslaved black people to read. Why, you ask? If caught, the slave owners would face a fine of up to$500. But again, why? Because reading is power. Reading empowers, liberates, and emboldens. Let's take the story of Nat Turner, for instance. When Nat Turner learned to read, it unlocked something unstoppable. It unlocked his knowledge, which led to leadership and, rebellion. Back then, knowledge wasn't just power, it was a threat. Free thinking, educated Black men and women could not be controlled. Let's fast forward to today. While it's not illegal to teach African Americans to read anymore, the disparities remain. And here's the connection we often miss. Kids of color are two to three years behind their peers in reading. Two thirds of kids who cannot read proficiently by fourth grade will either end up incarcerated, or relying on welfare These aren't just numbers, they're lives. It was illegal to teach us to read and now it's a privilege too many of our kids still do not have. That's why literacy must be treated as a critical public health issue. Studies show that only 30 percent of children's books feature a primary character who is black, indigenous, or a person of color, while half of all U. S. children are non whites. Where are the stories that reflect us, that inspire our kids to see themselves as heroes? Books act as both mirrors and windows. The mirrors let kids see themselves, their culture, and their potential. Windows give them a glimpse into worlds unlike their own, fostering empathy and understanding. Without these, our children grow up feeling invisible or disconnected from those around them. Author Renee Watson said it best,"We want our kids to put themselves in someone else's shoes, but if they're never exposed to other perspectives, then they're invisible. How can they truly connect with others? Books are mirrors and windows showing kids who they are and who they can become. Now I know life has gotten fast. We're caught up in artificial intelligence, texting, streaming, everything but books. But here's the truth. Good readers become good writers. Good writers become good communicators and good communicators can change the world. So here are three books I highly recommend to inspire young readers and I read them to my son RJ. The first is RJ Did It by yours truly Dr. Rani Whitfield. This book follows the adventures of my son RJ as he discovers the power of confidence and perseverance. It's perfect for kids in kindergarten through second grade, designed to spark imagination and show young readers that their dreams are within reach. That if RJ did it, they can do it too. The book also emphasizes the importance of family and community, making it a great choice for parents to read with their children. The next is one of my all time favorites, Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire by Ty Allen Jackson known as the king of financial literacy. Ty Allan Jackson has created a story about Danny Dollar, a boy with a dream of becoming a millionaire. This book goes beyond a fun narrative. It equips kids with real financial knowledge, teaching them about entrepreneurship, savings, and goal setting. It's the perfect introduction to money management for young readers. One of my all time favorites is Amarion's Routine for Success by Amarion Henry. Amarion's book is an excellent resource for teaching kids about the value of daily habits and discipline. Amarion's an excellent basketball player and this book talks about his daily routine. It's a practical yet engaging story that inspires kids to create routines that lead to long term success. It's a great tool for building a mindset of self improvement at an early age. Representation isn't just important, it's essential. These three books, in my opinion, are game changers. So what can we do to fix this literacy crisis? Number one, start at home. Read to your children every day, even if it's just for ten minutes. Reading isn't just a skill, it's a habit. Make books accessible. Donate to libraries, start book drives, and support black authors. Representation matters. Inspire kids to love reading. We need characters that speak to our children, like a five year old rapper writing rhymes with sight words. Let's make reading cool again. Books like Books and Bros by Sidney Keys and Marley Diaz's 1, 000 Black Girl Books have already shown us what's possible. We just need to amplify the movement. So here's my call to action to you. Make reading viral. Let it be the next thing that takes over TikTok, Instagram, and dinner tables. Imagine a world where every child, no matter their background, can pick up a book, get lost in a story, and discover the power of their voice. That's the mission. That's why we're here. Let's make the decision to inspire a love for reading today. Now, what am I reading and what am I vibing to? You know, I always do this at the end of my episodes. I'm going to share with you what's inspiring me this week. I'm just finishing The Power of Discipline by Daniel Walter. This book breaks down the science of self control and how it impacts our ability to achieve success. It's packed with actionable strategies to stay focused and disciplined in every area of our life. If you're looking to level up your habits, this one is a must read. Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievement. So check out the power of discipline for real life strategies. Musically, oh, y'all gonna love this. I'm bobbing the Mary j Blige very first album. What's the 4 1 1? That's the one we can put on a vacuum cleaner, turn on the music and clean the whole house up without stopping This debut project changed the game when it dropped in 1992. One of my all time favorites. It's raw, it's soulful; personal, blending R& B and hip hop in a way that was ahead of its time. Tracks like Real Love and my favorite, You Remind Me. Can't really sing, but you know what it is. They are timeless classics that still hit hard today. So what's next for Tha Hip Hop Doc? I'm working on my second book, Raising Heroes, A Father's Guide to Nurturing Boys to Men. It's inspired by the lessons I've learned and the wisdom passed down from my own father. This book is all about equipping fathers with the tools to raise confident, compassionate and successful young men. I'm so excited to share the project with you. And as the project develops, I'll be sure to tell you more. Here's an update from season two, episode one, in my previous podcast, New Year, New You, Building Resolutions That Stick, I promised you a tool to help you turn resolutions into results. I'm thrilled to announce that today, The Habit Builder Blueprint is available Sunday, January 12th, 2025. The Habit Builder Blueprint is available for free download So visit my website, www. h2doc. com. That's doc. com to download this free resource. It's your guide to creating consistent life changing habits. Inside you'll find actionable tips, habit trackers, recipes, exercises, and more to help you build habits that last. Healthy habits save lives. So download the Habit Builder Blueprint today free at www. h2doc. com. Well, that's it for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in to The Remedy with Dr. Rani Whitfield. Together, we can raise a generation of heroes through rhythm, reading, rhyming, and resilience. And remember, as I always say, We're born looking like our parents, but we die looking like our decisions. So let's make some informed decisions. It's Tha Hip Hop Doc. They call me H2D. Come on y'all. Let's get hip hop healthy. Peace and blessings. I'm out. The content on the remedy with Dr. Rani Whitfield is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance. Dr. Rani Whitfield is a licensed family physician, but the information provided on this podcast should not replace professional medical consultation.