AmeriCorps Member Spotlight
Kelsey Johnson, Indy Reads WorkLiteracy Coach
Why did you apply to be an Indy Reads AmeriCorps WorkLiteracy Coach?
I love teaching and I love my community. There’s a phrase, ‘social justice is love in action’ and I believe that wholeheartedly. This is one of the ways I’m trying to show love—being there for other people and walking alongside them. I’m not perfect at it yet. I’m still learning.
Last book you read?
Still reading. Will be done soon. Sisters in the Wilderness by Delores S. Williams. It’s a womanist commentary/exploration on religion and Christianity.
Favorite local restaurant in Indianapolis?
Chapati (off of Lafayette Rd) So good!
Favorite memory so far as an Indy Reads AmeriCorps Member?
Camille (my co-teacher) and I spent a whole day together scanning documents for our HSE class. It was tedious work, but we really bonded as coworkers and friends.
What is a quote you love or a mantra you live by?
“If you are free, you need to free somebody else.” – Toni Morrison
Favorite band/musician?
Too many to pick just one, so I’ll name a few: The Avett Brothers, Rising Appalachia, Nina Simone, Tobe Nwigwe, Esperanza Spalding
What do you hope to do after life as an AmeriCorps member?
I hope to get more involved in community engagement from the performing arts perspective—bringing theatre, writing and other forms of artistic self-expression into the community and making it accessible for everyone.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Myanmar (Burmese)
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish