Reach Education: Empowering Young Voices Through the Teen Publishing Project

From Aspiring Writers to Published Authors: Teens Bring Their Stories to Life

The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation's New Era Writers grant continues to help young people discover the power of storytelling, creativity, and self-expression through Reach Education's Teen Publishing Project.

During Reach's 2025 Summer Leadership Academy, nine aspiring teen authors worked alongside local story coaches to research, write, and publish three original books. Throughout the summer, participants collaborated with their peers, developed their writing skills, and gained firsthand experience in the publishing process. To further expand their understanding of the literary world, students visited Black Classic Press, where they learned how books are printed, produced, and distributed.

Although the project originally focused on non-fiction writing, the students chose to create fiction stories that explored important topics such as financial literacy and mental health. Working with local illustrators, the young authors brought their stories to life, culminating in the unveiling of their books at Reach's annual Book Release Party in November of 2025.

For many participants, publishing a book was a dream they never imagined could become reality. One student shared that they had always wanted to become a published author but did not know how to take the next step. Through the Teen Publishing Project, they received the guidance, resources, and encouragement needed to achieve that goal.

The program's impact extends beyond writing. Through storytelling, students gained confidence, strengthened their sense of identity, and learned to express themselves authentically. During the Summer Leadership Academy, 94% of participants reported a high level of comfort in understanding and sharing their identities and values. Mentors observed remarkable growth as students discovered talents they did not know they possessed and developed confidence in their ability to communicate their ideas.

"The students learn a lot about themselves during the Teen Publishing Project," shared one of Reach's story coaches. "They really tap into their creativity, even creativity they didn't know they had. It helps transform who they are and who they become as writers."

Building on this success, Reach has secured additional funding to expand the Teen Publishing Project beyond the summer months and into a year-round initiative. The organization plans to recruit new young authors and publish additional books while continuing to create opportunities for teens to develop their voices and share their stories with the community.

The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation is proud to support programs that nurture creativity, build confidence, and provide meaningful opportunities for young people to succeed. Through the Teen Publishing Project, Reach is helping cultivate the next generation of writers, leaders, and storytellers—ensuring that their voices are heard, celebrated, and amplified.