Danay Ferguson founded Reading Heart when she was just 8 years old, making her the youngest registered entrepreneur in Fresno County history, according to the nonprofit’s website.
“It first started out with my love of reading,” Danay said, “and I wanted to share that with everybody else.”

The avid reader is now 12 and has seen Reading Heart grow into a literacy-boosting powerhouse. Danay regularly travels to schools across Fresno County to celebrate reading and distribute free books to students in a party-like atmosphere. The organization has collected over 700,000 books as part of its mission to share the joy of reading and support educational achievement.
Danay is supported by her father, Dwayne Ferguson, who loads the books into their traveling library trailer and coordinates Reading Heart’s many events.  The organization also relies on a network of community volunteers, both kids and adults, to support the program.

Smiles Reveal Reading Heart’s Success

The smiles on the faces of thousands of young students who have benefitted from Reading Heart’s outreach illustrate the positive impact Danay is having.
“The kids don’t even realize that we’re just talking about how reading is important,” she said. “They’re excited to get their book and share it on with their friends.”
Watch the video above by GV Wire staffer Jahz Tello to see Danay and Reading Heart in action.