{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental","title":"Lighting the Way to Reading Joy with Rina Madhani","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1327,"description":"In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Rina Madhani, co-founder of Start Lighthouse, about transforming underutilized school libraries into vibrant literacy hubs across New York City public schools. Rina shares how her time as a Bronx classroom teacher revealed deep inequities in access to books, inspiring her to launch an organization that staffs full-time educators in school libraries, curates culturally representative book collections, and hosts author visits to help students see themselves reflected in stories. The conversation explores the power of representation in children's literature, building sustainable school partnerships rooted in trust and listening, and how joy and belonging — not just academic metrics — are central to fostering lifelong readers.\nAbout Rina Madhani:\nRina Madhani is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Start Lighthouse, a Bronx-based nonprofit advancing childhood literacy through culturally responsive programming. She leads the organization’s efforts to transform underutilized public school libraries into vibrant, fully staffed Literacy Hubs that provide daily book access, literacy instruction, and author engagement opportunities for students in historically under-resourced communities. Under her leadership, Start Lighthouse has partnered with multiple NYC public schools and distributed tens of thousands of books to children, with a focus on representation and identity affirming literature. Rina is passionate about building joyful reading cultures in schools and believes that when children see themselves reflected in books, they become more confident learners and leaders.\n\nhttps://www.startlighthouse.org/\n\nhttps://www.instagram.com/startlighthouse/?hl=en https://x.com/StartLighthouse","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/PLM71TVYaKrIK0b-G2NoWp7Xdi0RdKxkYAKLXdYb2tA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83NjQz/ZTdmZTE2ODA3OGJh/ZmM5NDkyMmZkNjI3/OWJkMy5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}