Our Reader Corps
Committed to the Cause
Our Reader Corps is the heartbeat of our program. These Black men embody the community values we strive to instill as we raise tomorrow’s leaders. If you’re a passionate storyteller who’s ready to make a long-term volunteer commitment, this may be the place for you.
In the Reader Corps, you get to bring your talents, creativity and personal style to the table in our BMR@School or Virtual Book Party programs. In either, you’ll disrupt false narratives around Black males by role modeling for our youth. You’ll get to engage with them through individual and group activities. And, importantly, you’ll build real relationships through repeat visits and event connections – an essential ingredient in creating communities of belonging.
Become a community hero and apply for the next Reader Corps today!
Meet the Readers Corps
Byron Roberts
(he/him)
Byron Roberts loves to read—newspapers, magazines and books (Encyclopedia Brown series as a child; the Obamas’ Becoming and A Promised Land now). Other hobbies include travel, museums, writing, movies and restaurants. He works for the University of Michigan (until his August 2022 retirement) and is co-owner of Roberts & Limbrick Enterprises, LLC. He is a husband, father of three adult children, life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, resident of Canton and native of Flint, who seeks to educate and inspire people through Jesus Christ.
Dana Greene Jr.
(he/him)
Hello friends, my name is Dana Greene Jr, and I am a Community Ambassador for the Rogel Cancer Center. I specialize in connecting with community organizations and health systems across the state of Michigan to gain a better understanding of their health needs. I love that my job allows me to meet and help very different people. I’ve lived in Ypsilanti for a few years now, but I am originally from Detroit, Michigan. Growing up I really enjoyed playing sports and in my free time now I still play baseball. When I wasn’t playing sports, I really enjoyed reading books like Harry Potter, Bud not Buddy, The Skin I’m In, and the Goosebumps books. Today, I like to read autobiographies like Will by Will Smith and A Promised Land by President Obama
Dwight L. Wilson
(he/him)
Father of four, grandfather of five, husband of a University of Michigan attorney. Author Historical Fiction Series, Modern Psalms and a memoir centering nurturing babies. 41 years as an educator, usually Principal or Dean. Chairman of the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County (over 250 churches). Volunteer Labor Service: Mott’s Children’s Hospital (Pediatric Cardiac Ward), Board member Earlham School of Religion.
Julius Buzzard
(he/him)
Julius grew up in Mid-Michigan, but found a deep sense of belonging when he moved to Southeast Michigan, and knew he’d found his new home when he moved to Ypsilanti, where he lives with his wife and daughter and works as the Program Director at Growing Hope. In his free time, Julius enjoys hiking, playing with his daughter, playing board games, going on long runs and working out. Julius enjoys reading for himself and his daughter, books like: I Am Enough, Hair Love, Hot Comb, We Still Here, and The Body Keeps the Score. Julius has a deep passion for individual and community health and the environment in pursuit of food sovereignty and the abolishment of oppressive systems at every level.
Will Jones III
(he/him)
Will is a Black creative living in the great city of Detroit. He draws pride from his ancestral heritage as a descendant of William Tucker, the first (documented) African child born in America. He’s a consultant, communications specialist, and designer. When not working, he can be found playing music, dancing, or eating delicious local food, and podcasting about Black culture with Yodit! His favorite books most recently are Tomi Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orisha series (Children of Blood and Bone) and N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth Trilogy.