We’re thrilled to announce that Maya Smart has been selected as the recipient of the Foundations, Inc. 2025 Champion of Children award! Each year, Foundations, Inc. presents this prestigious award to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting our nation’s most vulnerable children and helping them achieve brighter futures through quality education.
Maya Payne Smart is a writer, parent educator, and literacy advocate who has served on the boards of numerous library and literacy organizations. She and her family live in Milwaukee, where she serves as affiliated faculty in educational policy and leadership in the College of Education at Marquette University. Her website, MayaSmart.com, provides tips and tools for parents to nurture, teach, and advocate for kids on the road to reading.
Each year, Foundations, Inc. contributes to the Champion of Children’s charity of choice on their behalf. Maya has chosen to support Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, a nonprofit that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
Maya will accept the 2025 Champion of Children award during a special presentation at Beyond School Hours this February in Orlando, FL.