The Power of Early Literacy at Forefront in Kent County and Michigan
For our youngest children, early literacy is crucial because it builds the brain's foundation for language, reading, and writing. It sets the stage for long-term academic success.
On December 15, 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer named literacy her top priority as she enters her final year in office, sounding the alarm on Michigan’s ongoing reading challenges during remarks at the Michigan Literacy Summit. The convening brought together education leaders, policymakers, and advocates from across the state to align around solutions to Michigan’s literacy crisis.
At the Michigan Literacy Summit, Kiana Zaderej, VP of Community Investments at First Steps Kent, joined statewide partners to listen, learn, and share insights from Kent County’s on-the-ground work
“Early literacy is about more than learning to read; it’s about building strong relationships, skills, and confidence that lasts a lifetime,” said Kiana Zaderej, vice president of community investments at First Steps Kent. “Governor Whitmer’s call to prioritize literacy reflects our shared commitment to start early and work together. When we unite around inclusive, community‑driven solutions, we can support every child to build the strong foundation they deserve.”
Whitmer emphasized the urgency of early intervention, noting that more than 60 percent of Michigan third graders did not score proficient on the spring 2025 M-STEP reading assessment, a critical milestone in a child’s learning trajectory. She called for increased investment in local libraries, stronger support for families, professional development for educators, and targeted help for students with the greatest needs.
That call mirrors work already underway in Kent County. Through First Steps Kent’s Inclusive Literacy Alliance (ILA), community partners, parents, educators, and medical professionals are working together to ensure children, especially those with developmental differences, have access to inclusive, developmentally appropriate early literacy supports long before they reach third grade. This work aligns with First Steps Kent’s upstream focus on family engagement, opportunities for early learning, and equitable access to resources by building cross sector solutions that start early and include all children.
Sustaining and expanding this work will require continued public and private investment. Strategic early literacy investments strengthen educational outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term community well-being.