Check Out Melinda Cooper’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Cooper

Hi Melinda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up on a mountain in Appalachia, thankfully on the lap of a reader. My mother, a home childcare provider, was my first teacher. Access to literature, and with it, arts and culture, changed the trajectory of my life. It opened doors I didn’t even know existed, shaping how I saw the world and my place in it. That’s why I’m passionate about ensuring young people of all ages have access to high-quality, enriching educational experiences. I know firsthand how transformative that access can be.

My path started in the performing arts. I saw the power of storytelling to shift perspectives and ignite action. That passion led me to work with justice-impacted communities, using literature and theater as tools for empowerment. Over time, I moved into nonprofit leadership, developing literacy programs that center equity and access.

Now, as Director of Learning and Engagement at Words Alive, I lead programs that reach thousands of children, teens, and families each year. I also work with hundreds of volunteers from San Diego and around the world, connecting people across communities through the shared experience of story. My work is shaped by my background in political performance art, my commitment to abolitionist principles, and my belief that education should be liberatory. Whether I’m shaping program strategy, analyzing impact data, or working alongside volunteers, I am always focused on how we can foster lifelong learning, agency, and joy.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. When you grow up in a rural, working-class community, access isn’t a given. I was lucky to have books at home, but I saw plenty of people around me who didn’t. That shaped how I understood the world early on, but knowing about inequity and navigating it are two different things.

Building a career in arts, education, and nonprofit work has meant constantly pushing for resources and opportunities that aren’t always prioritized. Funding is a challenge. So is making the case for why literacy and access to the arts matter when there are so many competing needs. I’ve had to advocate for programs in spaces where people didn’t always see the value in them. That kind of work takes persistence.

There have been hurdles, but I’ve never lost sight of why I do this. Every challenge has reinforced my commitment to making sure more people, no matter where they’re from, have access to the same opportunities that changed my life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Words Alive, we believe that reading is more than a skill. It’s a tool for agency, connection, and lifelong learning. As the Director of Learning and Engagement, I lead programs that bring books to life for thousands of children, teens, and families each year. We work with young people who often have the least access to books and literacy resources, creating spaces where they can see themselves as readers, thinkers, and storytellers.

I specialize in making literacy engaging and relevant. That means designing interactive programs, training volunteers, and working with educators to integrate books into their classrooms in meaningful ways. I also support a network of hundreds of volunteers from San Diego and around the world, connecting people across communities through the shared experience of story.

What sets us apart is our focus on access and impact. We don’t just hand out books and hope for the best. We create experiences that make reading feel personal and powerful. We work with families, teachers, and community partners to build a culture of literacy that lasts beyond a single program.

I’m most proud of the moments when a young person realizes they are a reader. Not because someone told them they should be, but because they feel it for themselves. Seeing that confidence grow, knowing that a book has opened a door for them the way books did for me, that’s what makes this work meaningful for me personally.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that literacy is about so much more than reading words on a page. It is about making sense of the world, finding your voice, and having the confidence to use it. At Words Alive, we help our community see reading as a tool for agency, creativity, and self-expression.

I also want people to know that this work is a community effort. We have hundreds of volunteers, donors, and partners who make it possible to reach thousands of young people every year. Whether you have time, resources, or a passion for literacy, there’s a place for you in this work.

For me, this truly is more than just a job. It is deeply personal. I know what it’s like to have your world expanded by a book, to feel empowered by the right story at the right time, and I want that for every young person and family who we serve. If that resonates with you, I’d love for you to get involved, whether that’s through Words Alive or by simply sharing the power of a good book with someone in your life. www.wordsalive.org/becomeavolunteer

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wordsalive.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindacaseycooper/