Literacy for Health™
Literacy for Health™ is a signature framework and initiative of Valorena Publishing that bridges the worlds of education, communication, and health. Rooted in the awareness that education is a social determinant of health, and the belief that understanding is healing, the program leverages the full expression of literacy* (including reading, writing, numeracy, and storytelling) as a tool to build agency, self-awareness, and improve both physical and mental health outcomes.
Through literacy, the creative arts, and evidence-based literacy practices, Literacy for Health™ helps individuals—especially youth and communities of color—develop the skills to create, understand, and use information that supports overall well-being.
By transforming literacy into a pathway for health, empowerment, and connection, Literacy for Health™ affirms that literacy development is more than an academic act—it is a health intervention and a bridge between knowledge and care.
*UNESCO's definition of literacy.
#LiteracyForHealth #CollaboratorsAndCollaboration #ValorenaPublishing #HealthLiteracy
Through literacy, the creative arts, and evidence-based literacy practices, Literacy for Health™ helps individuals—especially youth and communities of color—develop the skills to create, understand, and use information that supports overall well-being.
By transforming literacy into a pathway for health, empowerment, and connection, Literacy for Health™ affirms that literacy development is more than an academic act—it is a health intervention and a bridge between knowledge and care.
*UNESCO's definition of literacy.
#LiteracyForHealth #CollaboratorsAndCollaboration #ValorenaPublishing #HealthLiteracy
Collaborators & Collaboration Series
- Through in-depth conversations and narrative features, the series amplifies the voices of advocates, educators, and organizations who are advancing health and literacy as a pathway to empowerment. Each story pulls back the curtain on the people and partnerships driving progress—demonstrating how learning and understanding are not only powers, but healing in action.
Follow Valorena Publishing on LinkedIn to get Literacy for Health™ Collaborators & Collaboration Series and meet the people and partnerships advancing literacy, health, and understanding in communities near and far.
Click here to download the inaugural publication, and read In Defense of Literacy (vs. Health Literacy).
World Mental Health Day: Author Reading and Q&A
As part of our ongoing commitment to literacy, wellness, and celebration, Valorena Publishing is pleased to have celebrated World Mental Health Day with Literacy for Health™. Registrants for this free event, received access to a digital (Kindle) copy of JoJo’s book of poetry, Cocoa’s Palace. Click the image to view the event recap video.
This was a special gathering of "cocoa-minded" mental health and literacy leaders, and another occasion for the Cocoa Kids Collection® to celebrate its commitment to "the momentous and the mundane in the – ever-inspiring – world of chocolate." It also reflected our continued commitment to providing social-emotional learning and resilience-building resources and outreach to youth, empowering young readers and their families to thrive.
Key Learnings & Take Aways:
✔️ The Power of Poetry – how storytelling and verse can support emotional well-being and resilience.
✔️ Youth Voices Matter – hear directly from a young author about finding and using her voice to spark meaningful dialogue.
✔️ Creative Coping Tools – gain insights into how reading, writing, and sharing stories can help young people process emotions.
✔️ Community Connection – be part of a global conversation on mental health, creativity, and the importance of representation in literature.
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE HERE.
About the Author – Jouvanna "JoJo" Brame is an African American Health Leader, Mental Health Advocate, and multimedia creative whose writing journey began at the age of 10. Initially focused on fiction, her passion gradually shifted toward poetry, where she explored both its internal structures and external forms. Her work has been featured in Harness Magazine and The Brazen Collective. JoJo will read from her debut chapbook, Cocoa’s Palace, screen her mini-documentary, Resilience Is, and preview new work from her next book, to my friend, sincerely, which will launch later this year.
We hope you’ll join us next year for what will undoubtedly be another thoughtful, inspiring evening.
Key Learnings & Take Aways:
✔️ The Power of Poetry – how storytelling and verse can support emotional well-being and resilience.
✔️ Youth Voices Matter – hear directly from a young author about finding and using her voice to spark meaningful dialogue.
✔️ Creative Coping Tools – gain insights into how reading, writing, and sharing stories can help young people process emotions.
✔️ Community Connection – be part of a global conversation on mental health, creativity, and the importance of representation in literature.
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE HERE.
About the Author – Jouvanna "JoJo" Brame is an African American Health Leader, Mental Health Advocate, and multimedia creative whose writing journey began at the age of 10. Initially focused on fiction, her passion gradually shifted toward poetry, where she explored both its internal structures and external forms. Her work has been featured in Harness Magazine and The Brazen Collective. JoJo will read from her debut chapbook, Cocoa’s Palace, screen her mini-documentary, Resilience Is, and preview new work from her next book, to my friend, sincerely, which will launch later this year.
We hope you’ll join us next year for what will undoubtedly be another thoughtful, inspiring evening.