The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is marking the 22nd year of “Read Your Heart Out,” a districtwide literacy initiative that brings students, families and community members together through storytelling and shared cultural experiences.
Every year at Read Your Heart Out (RYHO), family members, community members and volunteers read books, recite poetry or connect with students through visual or oral storytelling in the classrooms throughout Madison during the month of February. The program centers African American and Black readers who volunteer their time in classrooms, sharing books, poetry and personal narratives that encourage students to see reading as both empowering and joyful.
“‘Read Your Heart Out’ is more than just a fun event,” said Tyson Jackson, MMSD director of Family, Youth & Community Engagement, in a statement. “It’s about fostering a lifelong love of reading, nurturing curiosity and empowering students to explore the world through books.”
The 2026 theme, Ujima, reflects the Kwanzaa principle of collective work and responsibility, highlighting the shared role schools, families and communities play in supporting student success and building strong learning environments.
“Events like ‘Read Your Heart Out’ highlight what makes our schools so special,” MMSD Superintendent Joe Gothard said. “When families and community members step into classrooms as readers and role models, students see firsthand that literacy, culture and community are intertwined. That visibility and connection leave a lasting impression.”
The initiative is held in recognition of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID), an event founded by Joseph Dulin in 1995 and inspired by the Million Man March.
Since launching at Midvale Elementary School in 2004, “Read Your Heart Out” has expanded into a districtwide effort, with elementary schools across MMSD hosting celebrations that welcome guest readers and volunteers.
