A Month of Free Kindle Book Giveaways: A Gift of Literacy and Inspiration
- Joseph Crown
- Aug 28
- 8 min read
In a nation where literacy rates paint a stark picture, the power of books has never been more essential. This September, in honor of our shared commitment to learning and community, I’m giving away all of my Kindle books for free. Consider it a celebratory gift to everyone—an invitation to gain knowledge, spark inspiration, and join a movement for change. Part of the Crown Legacy Program’s mission is to ensure that our work—and the value, credit, and opportunities it creates—stays with the communities we serve and create with. Books possess the power to change lives. By making knowledge freely accessible, we hope to ignite a passion for reading and empower communities to address the literacy crisis.
Books possess the power to change lives. By making knowledge freely accessible, we hope to ignite a passion for reading and empower communities to address the literacy crisis.
The Literacy Crisis: Why It Matters
Literacy is more than just the ability to read—it’s a cornerstone of opportunity, empowerment, and societal well-being. Yet recent data reveals alarming trends that demand action:
Millions Struggle: About 130 million adults in the U.S. – over half of adults aged 16 to 74 – read below a sixth-grade level. In fact, 21% of American adults are functionally illiterate as of 2024, unable to read simple text well enough to navigate daily life.
Families and Futures at Risk: This crisis starts at home. Millions of parents cannot read a bedtime story to their children, robbing the next generation of early learning. Nearly 40% of students nationwide can’t read at a basic level, and almost 70% of low-income fourth graders fall below proficiency, a gap that fuels future inequality. Struggling readers often face emotional and behavioral challenges in school, impacting their confidence and engagement.
Economic Toll: Low literacy isn’t just an educational issue—it’s an economic one. An estimated 20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage, and lack of literacy skills limits job prospects. As a result, illiteracy is dragging down the economy: it’s projected to cost the U.S. up to $2.2 trillion in lost productivity each year. For individuals, the consequences are dire – about 3 in 4 people on welfare cannot read at even a basic level, trapping many families in a cycle of poverty.
Societal Ripple Effects: The costs of illiteracy ripple through society. Three in five people in U.S. prisons can’t read beyond elementary levels, and approximately 85% of juvenile offenders have reading difficulties. In some states, officials have gone so far as to use elementary-school reading scores to predict the number of prison beds needed in the future – a grim correlation between failing to educate and needing to incarcerate. Illiteracy not only feeds inequality but also weighs on taxpayers and public services, creating an urgent need for systemic change.
These statistics underscore a national crisis that can no longer be ignored. In fact, policymakers are beginning to respond. Just last year, the U.S. Senate introduced a resolution to establish September as National Literacy Month, an emphatic call to address the decline in reading skills across America. The resolution highlights that over 48 million adults have reading proficiency at or below a third-grade level and calls for communities to rally around proven strategies to improve literacy. Reading unlocks opportunity – when individuals can’t read, the impacts are felt by all of us in economic losses, social costs, and lost human potential.
A Chance to Make a Difference
The Crown Legacy Program is stepping up to address these challenges. Our mission is to ensure that our work—and the value it creates—stays with the communities we serve and create with. By offering free access to books that inform, inspire, and empower, this initiative aims to improve literacy rates and enrich lives one reader at a time. Books possess the power to change lives. By making knowledge freely accessible, we hope to ignite a passion for reading and empower communities to address the literacy crisis.
This effort aligns with The Crown Legacy Program’s broader mission to uplift communities through education and the arts. The Crown Legacy Program empowers underrepresented communities by funding, training, and supporting artists, writers, and culture bearers. Literacy is the foundation of all of that work. By making knowledge freely available, we hope to ignite a love of reading in those who need it most and remove barriers to information. It’s one piece of a larger puzzle—part of our commitment to break the cycle of low literacy and limited opportunity.
Why free books? Knowledge is power, and sharing knowledge freely is a simple but powerful way to combat illiteracy. For those who can’t easily afford books or wouldn’t otherwise have access, a free ebook can be the spark that lights a fire. And for those who download our titles, it’s an opportunity to learn new skills, gain fresh perspectives, and even discover the joy of reading if it hasn’t been a part of their life before. Moreover, this giveaway spreads awareness. When you claim your free books, we encourage you to share what you learn with your family and friends. Together, we can create a ripple effect of literacy and positive change.
Explore the Free Titles
Throughout the entire month of September 2025, all of my Kindle e-books will be available for free (at different times) via Amazon. These works span a range of topics—from cultural transformation and conflict resolution to personal growth and poetry—so there’s something for everyone. Here are just a few of the titles you can explore, at no cost:
Beyond Stigma: A Cultural Competency Training for HIV Healthcare Professionals – A resource to bridge gaps in empathy and understanding in healthcare, helping professionals provide compassionate, informed care.
Culture Catalyst Frameworks: Igniting Transformation through Intentional Change – A guide for fostering innovation, resilience, and positive cultural change in a rapidly evolving world.
Kingian Nonviolence Frameworks Training Manual: Empowering Movements for Change – Practical strategies for conflict resolution and social change, rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of nonviolence.
Navigating Life’s Conflicts: Strategies for Effective De-Escalation and Communication – A handbook for improving communication and relationships, offering everyday techniques to peacefully navigate disagreements.
67 Days of NOLA Poetic Exploration Between Here and There – A poetic journey through New Orleans, blending self-reflection with cultural insight and celebrating the spirit of the city....and many more!
📚 All of these titles (and others) will be offered for free on Kindle throughout September. Check my Amazon author profile for the specific dates each book is available for download at no charge. Whether you’re interested in personal development, social change, or a creative escape through poetry, this giveaway is a chance to fill your digital library with meaningful reads.
Storytellers and Poets: Building a Legacy in NOLA
This giveaway isn’t just about statistics and books—it’s also about people and stories, especially in our beloved city of New Orleans. As the Crown Legacy team likes to say, “In New Orleans, storytelling is more than art—it’s legacy.”Our stories, poems, and voices carry the memory and identity of our community. That’s why we’re launching the NOLA Storyteller and Poet Fellowships – to invest in the voices who will carry that legacy forward.
What are these fellowships? What are these fellowships? Beginning now, the Crown Legacy Program will select two creatives—one Storyteller and one Poet—for a six-month sponsored fellowship. As funding is secured, fellows will receive mentorship (editorial coaching and publishing support), a platform to share their work, and stipends. We are working to raise at least $14,000 by 2026 to fully launch our project. To begin this journey now, our inaugural Storyteller Fellows—Adrian Flowers and Andre J. McDonald, C.Ht.—are contributing monthly posts to the Crown Legacy blog, bridging technology, tradition, and cultural memory starting in September.
By downloading the free books this September, you’re directly contributing to this vision. We’re using the increased visibility and readership from the giveaway to raise funds and awareness for the fellowship program. Every new reader who joins our cause is a potential supporter of a local artist. The funds generated (through optional donations and sponsorships) during this campaign will help ensure we can pay and mentor those first two fellows. Imagine a young storyteller from New Orleans writing the next great chapter of our city’s story because of supporters like you—that possibility is real, and you can help make it happen.
Illiteracy has profound personal and social costs. Parents who struggle to read often can’t share stories with their children. By supporting literacy and local storytellers, we aim to help break this cycle for the next generation (source: National Literacy Institute).
Our hope is that these fellows will not only hone their craft but also engage the community—through readings, workshops in schools, storytelling events, and more. They will become ambassadors of literacy and creativity, inspiring others to read, write, and find their voice. In a city as vibrant and storied as New Orleans, there is no shortage of tales to tell or poems to pen. With your support, we can lift up those voices that too often go unheard.
Want to be a Crown Legacy Storyteller or Poetry Fellow?
We’re building the 2026 cohort (and future cycles) now. Writers, poets, culture bearers, and creative technologists with NOLA roots—email joe@crownlegacyprogram.org with your bio, links, and a brief project idea.
Subject: Fellow Interest — [Storyteller/Poet] — [Your Name]
Let’s make work that stays with the community.
Your Support Matters
This September book giveaway is more than a one-time event – it’s the start of something bigger. Every download, every read, and every shared story matters. Here’s how you can help build a legacy of literacy and creativity:
Read and Enjoy: Download the free books (as many as you like!), dive into the topics that intrigue you, and enjoy the journey. Knowledge truly is power, and by empowering yourself you empower your community.
Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family, colleagues, and social networks about the free book giveaway. Share the alarming literacy facts you’ve learned. Encourage others to read the books and discuss the ideas. The more people who join this effort, the greater our collective impact.
Contribute to the Cause: If you believe in our mission, consider going a step further. We are actively seeking supporters and sponsors to help fund our literacy programs and creative fellowships. Your donation or sponsorship can directly fund an adult literacy class or sponsor one of our Storyteller/Poet Fellows. Even a small contribution can make a huge difference in someone’s life. (Below can be found a QR Code and a donation link)
Remember, by simply reading a free book, you are already helping. You’re proving that there is a demand for knowledge and that people care about these issues. Each download boosts our visibility, showing authors and platforms that topics like cultural competency, conflict resolution, and poetry matter and have an audience. This, in turn, helps attract more resources and partners to our cause.
Lastly, we invite you to stay connected. Visit the Crown Legacy Program website often to learn more about our ongoing work in the community, from educational initiatives to our new Lagniappe Logic podcast. Follow our updates, join our mailing list, or reach out if you’d like to collaborate. And be sure to check out my Amazon Author Profile for details on these titles and future releases.
Together, let’s build a legacy of literacy, creativity, and transformation. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Go download your free books today – read them, enjoy them, and help us share the gift of reading with others. By turning pages, you’re helping turn the tide on illiteracy and igniting change that will resonate far beyond this month.
Joseph Santiago, Executive Director, Crown Legacy Program joe@crownlegacyprogram.org
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