Philadelphia, PA — September 16, 2025 — Happie Literacy Works, LLC (HLW) is proud to announce the inaugural selectees for the Happie Literacy Advisory Board (HLAB) — a dedicated group of thought leaders, educators, creatives, and advocates who will help shape HLW’s strategic vision and programming from July 2025 through June 2028.

Formed to support HLW’s mission of bridging education, creativity, and community impact, the Advisory Board will play a key role in guiding initiatives that close literacy gaps, amplify storytelling, and build accessible pathways for aspiring writers and artists. Board members will primarily offer expertise, thought partnership, and creative insights to strengthen HLW’s planned K-12 programming under its Happie Lit Lab program.

“We are thrilled to welcome this phenomenal group of leaders who reflect the spirit and mission of Happie Literacy Works,” said Dominique J. Smiley, Founder & Owner of Happie Literacy Works. “Each member brings a deep commitment to education, equity, and the arts—values at the heart of everything we do.”

The seven founding members of the Happie Literacy Advisory Board are:

1. Meagan Beam — Educational Professional, Concord, North Carolina
   Meagan is a former educator with over 19 years of experience in the field. She founded OTTER Reading and has developed a patent-pending innovative multi-sensory resource for young readers.
2. Ugochi Emenaha — Educator, Houston, Texas
   Ugochi is an educator and published author with over 15 years of experience in the field. She is currently a university professor and works with Black Girls Code to create literacy curriculum that accompany their STEM lessons.
3. Nykirah Ellis — Education Professional, Washington, DC
   Nykirah is an education professional and former educator with over 8 years of experience in the field. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at a university and connects aspiring educators to schools in the region.
4. Madelyn Leigh — Educator, Richmond, Virginia
   Madelyn is an educator with over 7 years of experience in the field. She works closely with general education and special education teachers to support students with a variety of language and learning needs.
5. Shauna Russell — Administrator, Detroit, Michigan
   Shauna is an administrator and former educator with over 14 years of experience in the field. She has worked with the 1619 Project Education Network and was a board member of the Promise Land Heritage Association.
6. Jade Walker — Education Professional, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
   Jade is an education professional and former educator with over 20 years of experience in the field. She currently leads program strategy and implementation for literacy programs that strengthen family engagement, improve instructional outcomes, and scale impact across diverse communities.
7. Katie Welch — Educator & Administrator, Quincy, Massachusetts
   Katie is an educator and administrator with over 9 years of experience in the field. She currently lead initiatives to foster a culture of safety, inclusivity, and support for students, ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all learners.

The Advisory Board will convene quarterly and serve as a guiding voice for HLW’s Happie Lit Lab, K-12 programming and the Happie Books Initiative, which will provide free or low-cost literacy programming to underserved youth.

To learn more about Happie Literacy Works and the Happie Literacy Advisory Board, visit https://happielitworks.com/education/hlab/.