Sharing the joy of reading and so much more.

“Once you learn to read, you are forever free.” Frederick Douglass

Our Mission

To improve reading skills in low-income communities by providing one-to-one literacy tutoring, free books for home libraries, and an inspiring, high-energy learning environment.


Our Vision

The vision of Freedom Readers Inc. is to interrupt the cycle of poverty by providing opportunities for children to develop advanced literacy skills that will improve their academic performance and increase long-term career prospects.


“Children who read well by grade three are more likely to graduate from high school.” Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation

Designed to support parents and caregivers who are concerned about their child’s progress in literacy, this virtual 6-8 week service is offered in addition to the after school and summer literacy program and Advanced Placement Prep program we already offer.

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Fall 2024 Session Update


After a great deal of analysis and discussion of the recent development of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the leadership team and Board has decided to pause our K-5th grade After School Program and Advanced Placement Prep Program for middle school students.

Therefore, there will be no weekly meetings of any of our teams for the 2021 fall session. We will continue to monitor the situation and hope to be able to return safely to in-person programming in January 2022.

Although our usual offerings will be on hiatus, we will not be suspending our service to the community. Instead of weekly team meetings, Freedom Readers will continue to offer our virtual service to our current scholars and other interested families.

The Reading Lab offers caregivers the opportunity to have their child’s reading assessed, receive a personalized prescription for improvement and follow up with tutoring from a trained Freedom Readers volunteer.

Fall 2024 Session

Week of September 16th through Week of November 22nd

YMCA of Coastal Carolina Book Club

Tuesdays @ 4:15 pm-5:15 pm

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Waccamaw Library

Thursdays @ 2:45 pm-4:00 pm

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Friendship Place

Thursdays @ 3:30 pm-5:00 pm

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Southern Georgetown Community Library

Thursdays @ 2:45 pm-4:30 pm

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MIO Center (Sponsored by the Horry County Pearls, Inc.)

Wednesdays @ 3:30 pm-5:00 pm

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Georgetown Housing Authority Book Club

Wednesdays @ 2:45 pm-4:15 pm

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Plantersville Elementary School Book Club

TBD @ 2:30 pm-4:00 pm

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Piney Grove Baptist in Andrews

Tuesdays @ 4:00 pm-5:30 pm

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Myrtle Beach Primary School

Mondays @ 2:30 pm-4:00 pm

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Chesterfield Missionary Baptist Church

Thursdays @ 2:45 pm-4:30 pm

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Bay Pointe Apartments

Wednesdays @ 3:30 pm-5:00 pm

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See all locations & meeting times

Your involvement makes the difference.

Volunteer adult tutors are trained in the skills needed to work effectively at keeping young scholars interested, motivated, and having fun as they learn.

Volunteer
Photos of volunteers working with scholars. Photos of volunteer working with scholars.

Now available! Forever Free, a book by Freedom Readers CEO Tracy Swinton Bailey, PhD.

Buy Hardcover Buy Audiobook Learn More & Download Free Resources

“[An] inspirational account… Bailey doesn’t hold back in criticizing systemic inequalities in public schools and society at large, but her optimism shines through. Educators, parents, and school administrators will want to take a look.” — Publishers Weekly

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@freedomreaders2106

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Take a look inside what’s happening at Freedom Readers.

The Diversity Leaders Initiative celebrates Freedom Readers
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A Million Thanks
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Coastal Now - Tracy Bailey of Freedom Readers (Alumna Profile)
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Freedom Readers On Inside Out August 2017
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The Diversity Leaders Initiative celebrates Freedom Readers
A Million Thanks
Coastal Now - Tracy Bailey of Freedom Readers (Alumna Profile)
Freedom Readers On Inside Out August 2017
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Events

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Blog

Books in Barbershops and Beyond recognized by the Rotary of Myrtle Beach

In 2023, Freedom Readers re-launched the Books in Barbershops and Beyond program.  Spearheaded by Horry County Outreach Coordinator, the program

Continue reading

Impact Stories

Meet Neville Anson – Future Scientist

Neville is a scholar attending our summer session at Mt. Olive AME Church. During the first two weeks at Freedom Readers, Neville struggled to find his confidence when it came time to present his speech in front of the group.... Continue reading

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Books We Love, Love, Love.

Let us take the guess work out of book donations. Simply click on any book below and you will be taken to the book on Smile.Amazon.com. Please have the books shipped to our office at 1012 16th Ave. NW Surfside Beach, SC 29575.

Not only will you bring smiles to the faces of deserving children, but Amazon will make a donation to Freedom Readers for every purchase you order through Amazon Smile. Thanks in advance for your support.

See other books we love