We believe literacy is the foundation for all learning and literacy should be centered in all content areas.

We envision a world where literacy is universally valued and every individual has the opportunity to develop strong literacy skills regardless of gender, identity, race/ethnicity, culture, ability, and socio-economic status. Individuals will be empowered with the foundational skill of literacy to pursue their passions and goals. Our mission is to foster equity in education by promoting evidence-based learning solutions that address the racial and gender disparities in literacy and overall academic achievement.

We solve the illiteracy crisis which impacts nearly

one billion people worldwide.

The fundamental skill for all learning is literacy. Yet, there is an illiteracy crisis persisting globally, affecting over 773 million adults, with two-thirds being women. In the United States, over 43 million adults and 25 million children struggle with illiteracy.  Proficient reading by fourth grade is a key indicator of future educational success, with non-proficient readers being four times more likely to drop out of school. Despite decades of research, effective implementation of literacy programs in schools and communities is lacking. Marginalized learners and those with learning differences are disproportionately impacted. 

We revolutionize literacy with our unique evidence-based approach.

We provide equitable, evidence-based learning solutions to close racial and gender gaps in literacy and overall education outcomes. We translate decades of research into practice through our modern, innovative literacy program and literacy-based curricula.  We understand the intersection of literacy and health equity and how illiteracy negatively impacts community and population health. The foundational skill of literacy will enable individuals to lead healthier lives.

We transform lives of learners worldwide.

We have learners from all five regions of the United States and spanning 43 countries. Many of our learners identify as those with learning differences and marginalized populations.

Meet our Founder, Dr. Katharine Hawkes (she/her)

Dr. Katharine Hawkes is the Founder of HEAL, The Print Project, where she leads the organization’s efforts to address intersectionality of literacy and health equity with a focus on marginalized populations.

Dr. Hawkes is highly regarded in the community for her tireless commitment, passion, effectiveness, advocacy, and leadership in education and public health. She has a broad range of expertise in equity and intersectionality as well as research and scholarship in maternal and child health,  women’s health, mental health and substance use, community-based participatory research, and disruptive education.  She applies a feminist and social justice lens to her work while propelling organizations and individuals to be anti-racist and culturally competent.

Dr. Hawkes earned her Doctorate in Health Sciences from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She also earned a Master of Public Health degree in Health Management and Policy and Epidemiology Graduate Certificate, respectively, from Eastern Virginia Medical School.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Old Dominion University. 

Most recently, Dr. Hawkes led the Equity at Intercept 0 Subgroup of the Marcus Alert State Stakeholder Planning Group, ensuring equitable policies, access, and supports for individuals interacting with the behavioral health system.

Her commitment to advancing health equity combined with her scholarship and experience in disruptive education was the driving force in establishing HEAL, The Print Project. She created HEAL, The Print Project to ensure equitable education for ALL children with a focus on literacy in ALL content areas.  Having developed a modern, evidence-based literacy program through a culturally competent and anti-racist lens, Dr. Hawkes hopes to empower children all over the world with LITERACY, the foundational skill that will unlock the doors to learning all throughout life while paving the way to attaining health equity.