Dr. Williams-Sanchez is the Founder of Valorena Publishing and creator of the Literacy for Health™ platform, a multigenerational framework connecting literacy to learning, health, and community outcomes.
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She holds a Ph.D. in Literacy and has contributed to research and practice at the intersection of cultural literacy, reading, and health communication. Her work spans education, public health, and community engagement, with a focus on expanding how literacy is defined and applied across contexts.
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​How it All Started
Dr. Williams-Sanchez’s work began with early research in children’s literature and cultural literacy, includingThe Cocoa Kids Collection Thesis: Revaluing Children of Color’s Lives Through Children’s Literature (2017). Her scholarship continues through ongoing exploration of representation, reading, and identity in children’s literature.​

​Core to Dr. Williams-Sanchez' research and writing, specifically inThe Reading Builds Empathy Pilot Survey: Picturebooks for Empathy Development, picture books as a genre are emphasized as an important tool in literacy, socio-emotional, and life skills development.  

​Media & Press:

• Literacy for Health™ in Practice: Literacy Stewards’ Salon Convenes Cross-Sector Leaders at Nyack Library, EIN Presswire – (2026)
• Valorena Publishing Expands Global Programs & Community Partnerships, EIN Presswire – (2025) 
• Valorena Publishing & Cocoa Kids Collection to Host Virtual Scholarship Event Celebrating Everyday Creativity in KidLit, EIN Presswire – (2025)
• Narrative Mindworks – (2025) 
• Wikitia (2025) 
• U.C. Berkeley Letters & Science (2025)
• Raising World Children (2022)​
• Elm City LIT Fest Podcast - LITeracy is LIT​, (video, 2021) 
• Soul Blossom Living (2020)
• Amazon Readers' Reviews (2019) 
• Beagles & Books (2019)
• Huff Post (2017)
• Barnes & Noble (2015)​​