Amanda Uhle

Michigan Nightlight: What does being a leader mean to you?
826michigan Executive Director Amanda Uhle: I aspire to be and hope on my best days that I am a leader that listens more than I talk, that liberally delivers praise and credit where it’s due, and that takes the lead, even the blame, when an unpopular decision is needed.

What is your dream for kids?
My dream is to remove all the negative influences on education that start so early. A lot of our students really struggle to

A lot of our students really struggle to write, in part because they’ve decided from an early age that writing is hard, that they’re not good at it.

write, in part because they’ve decided from an early age that writing is hard, that they’re not good at it. I truly believe that inspiring students to be confident in themselves, especially by way of their writing, is a pathway to tremendous opportunity.

What is one concrete thing that could be done to improve the environment for social sector work in Michigan?
It sounds dead obvious, but increased business support -- financial and otherwise -- makes a significant difference for organizations like ours. Naturally, we benefit when businesses, especially those based locally, contribute funds or sponsor events. But we also really value businesses who place importance on volunteering in the community by giving paid time off for that purpose or by matching employees’ donations or any number of creative ways that businesses find to engage in the social sector.

How do you know you’re making progress?
Our problems are always evolving, which I think is a really good sign. In our very early days, we were seeking students to take part in our programs and then a little later, we were always scraping together funds to pay the electric bill. Now we have a bit more financial stability, and we literally have to turn away students and teachers who need our support. Our challenges now are around identifying the most effective way we can use the resources we have to make the strongest, longest-lasting impact for our students.

But we also really value businesses who place importance on volunteering in the community by giving paid time off for that purpose or by matching employees’ donations or any number of creative ways that businesses find to engage in the social sector.

What are you most proud of?
It gives me endless pride to see the contributions people make in support of our work. They give enormously of their time as tutors, which is of infinite value to us and to students. And people who are compelled by 826michigan’s work contribute funds so generously, even if for some individuals that means a relatively small gift. It’s always heartfelt and always makes me feel so proud that we’ve created something that people connect to so passionately.

What do you think has been done in the past ten years in the literacy field to most improve outcomes for kids in our state?
As public education funding continues to diminish in our state, it has been so wonderful to see supplemental programs addressing the educational needs of Michigan students. 826michigan is not alone in serving school-aged students with important services, creating amazing learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom, and providing a safe third space -- not school or home -- where students can be themselves.