July 28, 2022
This month Book Harvest welcomed Cheri Coleman to our growing team! As the Book Babies Durham Manager, she oversees all aspects of Book Babies program delivery in Durham.
Cheri received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Chicago and a Master of Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill. She has over 18 years of nonprofit experience and spent the last decade as a home visitor with families of children ages 0-3 with Healthy Families Durham: “As a home visitor with Healthy Families Durham for the past 10 years, I have had the incredible privilege to walk alongside many families and watch their little ones grow and change from tiny infants to curious toddlers to talkative and inquisitive preschoolers. The amount of growth and development that happens during those first few magical years is astounding and impressive.”
Cheri’s experience partnering with parents will guide her as she manages Book Babies, Book Harvest’s evidence-informed literacy coaching partnership. Together, literacy coaches and parents set literacy goals for their children, mark their progress as they prepare for school, and help ensure that they start kindergarten ready to learn. Cheri’s expertise in this field is deeply valuable as Book Babies grows and develops; the program is nearing its tenth year of serving families!
Cheri enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, playing games, and exploring new places. One of her favorite books from childhood is Corduroy, written and illustrated by Don Freeman.
“I am so honored and excited for the opportunity to begin this new journey as the Book Babies Durham Manager, joining the amazing Book Babies team in partnering with all of you to support and encourage early literacy experiences and growing young minds for the future. I look forward to meeting and connecting with you soon and continuing to share the joy and wonder of these early years with you. I am grateful to be welcomed into this incredible community.”
Welcome, Cheri! You can connect with Cheri by emailing cheri@bookharvest.org.
At the Book Harvest Block Party on July 16, 2022. From Left: Cheri Coleman (Book Babies Durham Manager), Tabitha Blackwell (Executive Director, Book Harvest Durham), Victoria Arrivillaga (Book Babies Literacy Coach), Alisa Miller (Book Babies Literacy Coach)