Board of Directors

Leah Sayles

Founder and Executive Director

Born in Portland, Oregon, Leah moved with her family to Los Angeles when she was a child. She pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting Communications from Cal State Los Angeles and received a certificate in Fashion Design from Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Leah worked as an Executive Assistant and in administration for companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, City of Santa Monica and the Directors Guild of America.

She helped establish and held the role as Vice President for 10 years at the Jump for Joi Children’s Foundation, a grass-roots organization providing after-school arts programs to underserved youth in Los Angeles. The experience gained at Jump for Joi along with her strong administrative skills primed her to found her own nonprofit organization. She established United Voices of Youth in 2009 (now United Voices of Literacy – UVOL). Her passion for reading, supporting and improving the lives of others is the fuel for her dedication with UVOL.

Why I Serve with UVOL: “At the age of 16, I was horrified to find that the donated Christmas toys were stolen from a local radio station. I approached my neighborhood block committee to request donations to replace some of the stolen items. That was my taste of community organizing. I love reading, rooting for the underdog, productions and bringing smiles to others. UVOL gives me the opportunity to do all of those things.”

Favorite Quote: “If not us, who? If not now, when?”

Stephanie Walls

Board member

Stephanie is the past Vice-President of United Voices of Youth and current board member of United Voices of Literacy. She gained experience in the non-profit sector volunteering as the assistant program director of Jump for Joi Children’s Foundation in Los Angeles.

Stephanie is the sole proprietor of In A Nick of Time Event Planning, a full service event planning company specializing in themed events. Her passion for uplifting the lives of at-risk youth and underserved individuals is her compass for planning and expanding the programs that UVOL offers. Stephanie works at the American Heart Association in Long Island, NY where she resides with her husband.
Why I Serve with UVOL: “Reading and literacy are very important basic needs for everyone in any society. I consider it my duty to help the next generation fulfill their potential – but 1st – they must know how to read.”

Favorite Quote: “I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.”

Beverly Reynolds

Board Member

A native of Washington, D.C., Beverly received her B.A. M.A. Howard University English Major with a minor in Education. She taught Freshman English in Washington DC, Texas and Los Angeles.

Beverly has served on the board Southeast Symphony Association, Institute for Services to Education (Atlanta based), The Fortitude Foundation Los Angeles and is Howard University Alumni Association West Region Chair. She isAssociate Editor, Reflections Publishing House and Owner, WordMartEditing and Writing Services.

Why I Serve with UVOL: “I am returning to a cause that I undertook back in the 60’s. As a high school teacher, I realized that 12th graders were graduating from high school reading below grade level. I volunteered with the public Library system in D.C. to teach the Laubach method for adult learners. Seeking a volunteer opportunity with a focus on literacy, I sought several agencies and found UVOL’s mission and passion intriguing.”

Favorite Quote: “By our students we are taught.”

Christina Koneazny

Advisory Board Member

Christina Koneazny is Associate Director at the Joint Educational Project (JEP) at the University of Southern California and directs the USC ReadersPlus program. She holds a B.A. In Education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and a M.S. In Education from USC’s Rossier School of Education with special focus in Literacy Learning and Instruction. She has created original curriculum for the following outreach programs: Youth Impact Program (literacy and math curriculum for middle school boys designed around football); WonderKids (STEM curriculum for 1st – 3rd grade students); and Little Yoginis (curriculum combining literacy and yoga around such themes as kindness, contentment and non-violence). She has two children – a daughter and a son – who grew up with books read aloud to them from the time they were in her womb. Both are now avid readers.

Why I Serve with UVOL: “The partnership with United Voices of Literacy is the perfect complement to the work we do at JEP. The addition of the program to USC ReadersPlus after school curriculum offers students the opportunity to connect with literature in a unique way with a different purpose – reading to entertain an audience. Oral reading of engaging children’s literature communicates to children the power of the written word and vocal expression and, at the same time, helps strengthen comprehension and vocabulary development. Perhaps, most importantly, students gain confidence in themselves and their reading ability through these positive oral reading experiences.”

Favorite Quote: “On this path let the heart be your guide for the body is hesitant and full of fear.” – Rumi

David Jackson

Advisory Board Member

David M. Jackson was born in San Jose, Costa Rica on May 6th, 1970. He recently served as the Director of Community Development for the University of Southern California (USC) Credit Union from November 2016 to October 2017. He graduated from the University of Southern California, receiving a Master of Leadership in 2013 and from Arizona State University, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Justice Studies in 1999.

He enlisted in the Army in 1989 as a Military Policeman. He was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) program at Fort Benning, GA in December 2000. He retired from the military in 2016. David is married to the former Lynette C. Brabant of Bay Village, OH. They have two children Molly, 16 and Hannah, 14 and currently resides in Santa Clarita, CA with his family.

Why I Serve with UVOL: Empowering our children to read at such a young age will ensure they are able to pursue what they want in life. Reading is the core foundation needed for learning and UVOLs provides the building material needed for a solid foundation. It’s an honor to be a part of an organization whose mission it is to provide the tools needed for our children to reach their dreams! The team associated with UVOLs are passionate about making a difference and firmly believe in the importance of paying it forward!

Favorite Quote: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”. —Frederick Douglass