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, an international initiative dedicated to advancing literacy and health equity through an intersectional lens. Under her leadership, HEAL works to dismantle barriers in education by promoting equitable, culturally responsive, and evidence-based learning opportunities for all children, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Dr. Hawkes founded HEAL to close the gap between literacy and health, recognizing that access to equitable education is essential to achieving health equity. Having taught children from a wide range of backgrounds, including those from celebrity and royal families as well as those in underserved communities, she brings a rare perspective on the universality of learning. Drawing on her background in both education and public health, she developed a model that integrates evidence-based literacy practices with cultural responsiveness and equity. Through HEAL, she seeks to empower educators and communities to create inclusive learning environments where every child can read, understand, and thrive.