INITIATIVE ONE:
INCREDIBLE ME
A Boys-Only Book Club
in partnership with Read 2 Succeed Philadelphia
WHAT IS INCREDIBLE ME?
Incredible Me is the first initiative of Reach Black Boys, created to develop literacy, identity, and young brotherhood for a new generation of boys.
A Boys-Only Book Club where we will be specifically (and initially) working with boys in grades 3-5.
INCREDIBLE ME will help boys build confidence, deepen their love for reading, cultivate self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.
We not only want the boys to be improve their reading, but to find their love for it.
WHY IS INCREDIBLE ME NECESSARY?
Incredible Me exists because many black boys do not consistently see themselves reflected positively in books, classrooms, or learning spaces.
This lack of representation and affirmation can impact reading confidence, self-esteem, self-actualization, and long-term academic engagement.
The INCREDIBLE ME Book Club will help boys develop both literacy skills and a strong sense of self-worth. When boys believe in who they are, they are more likely to read confidently, participate actively, and envision greater possibilities for their future.
Overall, here at INCREDIBLE ME, we want to expand each boy’s world.
“TURNING READING INTO AN INCREDIBLE FEELING.”
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SIR BRANDON LEWIS:
I started INCREDIBLE ME, a boys-only Book Club, because I want young Black boys to have the chance to sharpen their reading and grow and feel more confident in themselves. It’s a place for boys to connect, build their skills, and feel proud of their progress.
INCREDIBLE ME is more than reading, it’s about togetherness. It’s about brotherhood, confidence, and growth. We read stories that look like us, sound like us, and push us to be better. And we don’t just read — we talk, we connect, and we push each other to be the best version of ourselves. Because when boys believe in themselves, they can change everything.
Reading takes you far. It grows your mind and builds your intelligence. That’s why I started INCREDIBLE ME — so Black boys can read, grow, and dream big.
INCREDIBLE ME is in tribute to the legacy and memory of Karel Gibson.
Why Boys Only
1. Many literacy and mentorship spaces unintentionally lean toward girls — this book club provides representation and focus for growing boys.
2. Encourages boys to see reading as routine, cool, competitive, and positively connected to their future selves.
Why It Matters
1. Early literacy is the foundation of lifelong success — INCREDIBLE ME makes sure boys build confidence early.
2. A boys-only space celebrates identity and brotherhood in a way that feels safe, nourishing, and exciting.
3. Shows boys that books are the doorways to imagination, self-belief, and future dreams – not just for academics, but for life.
4. Uses mentorship, peer-bonding, and culturally relevant texts (where they can see themselves as the main character) to bridge the gap between athletics, leadership, academics, and self-expression in a boy-centered space.
Vision
INCREDIBLE ME empowers boys to see themselves as incredibly brilliant, capable, and powerful through reading. By creating a club rooted in literacy, INCREBIBLE ME helps boys grow confidence, cultivate leadership, and discover the power of their own voices through books that affirm who they are and what they can become.