Fostering a Love for Literacy Through Publishing, Exploration & Entrepreneurship

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More than a youth literacy program.

Writing, Publishing, Creative Industry Career Exploration and Entrepreneurship

What we do

NC EmpowerUp is a North Carolina 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to empower individuals in our local communities with programs that enhance education, skill-building, and access to essential community resources.

Our Early Scribes program is designed to boost reading proficiency by helping participants develop strong literacy skills through our custom curriculum. They'll learn the art of storytelling, harness their unique voices, and collaborate with illustrators to create and publish their own books. This process not only enhances their reading abilities but also cultivates a lasting love for reading and writing.


The cohort will meet lived experience speakers who will introduce jobs in creative industries that revolve around literacy, expanding their future career possibilities. Additionally, participants will receive foundational training in entrepreneurship, learning how to create a marketing and sales plan for their book that they can implement right away.

Early Scribes offers a place for young creatives. It is ideally suited for students in grades 6 to 8.  Program sessions are held at convenient locations near the communities we serve. Each session is actively promoted within the community, providing details on how to apply and information about the course. We welcome applications from parents on behalf of their children, as well as referrals from schools and other community organizations. Applications are carefully reviewed, and a cohort of 10-12 students is selected for each session.

"...if something is challenging to a reader, one of the most accessible paths to overcoming that challenge is through writing."


- Colleen Cruz
Author of teacher titles like "Writers Read Better: Nonfiction" (July 2018) and "Writers Read Better: Narrative & The Unstoppable Writing Teacher."

Creative Writing Curriculum

Advised by a team of experienced educators, our custom writing curriculum is specifically designed to increase reading proficiency. It blends book coaching techniques with the NCDPI Standard Course of Study for English Language Arts aiming to strengthen literacy skills and enhance reading comprehension.

Planning, Writing, Editing, Illustrating

Our publishing experts guide students through every step, from drafting to publishing, resulting in participants leaving as published authors of a book-store-shelf-worthy book.

Creative Career Exploration


Lived experience guest speakers introduce jobs in creative industries that revolve around literacy such as copy writers, illustrators, music and film producers, content creators, and beyond.

Entrepreneurship


This practical training gives young participants real-world skills to promote and sell their book. They learn to protect their work, reach the right audience, price for profit, and handle book orders—building confidence and entrepreneurial experience early on.

"Two-thirds (60%) of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 said they were "likely" to consider starting a business or becoming an entrepreneur as an adult. "


- Junior Achievement USA
 May 2022 Survey of 1000 Teens (13-17)



What our parents have to say...

Hear It from Our Parents:

PROGRAM IMPACT:

After two cohorts completed the camp in Spring and Summer 2025, all participants finished as published authors, achieving the following outcomes:



PROGRAM IMPACT:

After six weeks and 18 hours of instruction, all students in our Spring '25 cohort completed the program as published authors with the following outcomes: 

Literacy

Entreperneurship

Literacy

92%

of the cohort learned new creative writing techniques, which will support their future writing projects and deconstructing text both in and out of school.

50%

of the cohort are currently working on writing projects outside of school or have completed a second book for publication.

79%

of the cohort were introduced to entrepreneurship for the first time, and all students learned how to price their books for profitability, market their products, and manage the logistics of fulfilling orders.

79%

of the cohort have launched their own online book businesses and are actively fulfilling orders gaining hands-on experience in merchandising, customer service, money management, and more.

80%

of the students learned new creative writing techniques, which will support their future writing projects and deconstructing text both in and out of school.

50%

of the students are currently working on writing projects outside of school or have completed a second book for publication.

Entreperneurship

70%

of the students were introduced to entrepreneurship for the first time, and all students learned how to price their books for profitability, market their products, and manage the logistics of fulfilling orders.

100%

of the students have launched their own online book businesses and are actively fulfilling orders gaining hands-on experience in merchandising, customer service, money management, and more.

$600-$800

Cohort members have reported individual sales ranging from $600 to $800 within the first 45 days of their book launch.

14

Youth-authored books published—each written by kids for kids!

*Early Scribes Spring  Cohort 2025 & Summer Cohort 2025, Sales reporting from Spring Cohort 2025

A huge thank you to our main characters whose partnership and support

help make our literary adventures possible!

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