Jeremy Gant: Leading the Charge in Literacy Education

Jeremy Gant was never meant to stay silent. Not in the classroom. Not during curriculum meetings. Certainly not when confronted with the gaps she notices in her students' education.

Gant is more than just a teacher. She is a full-time educator, curriculum writer, cultural architect, and now, she proudly assumes the title of founder. This summer, she will launch the RWAR Academy. This six-week literacy program stems from the curriculum she has pioneered. Known as the self-proclaimed “First Lady of Reading with a Rapper,” Gant’s innovative teaching approach has sparked a widespread movement. The focus is on student voices, teacher leadership, and the powerful influence of music.

From Rebel Teacher to RWAR Pioneer

As an educator raised by educators, Gant is not afraid to challenge the status quo. She became a rebel by addressing her students' real needs, rather than simply following the prescribed curriculum.

In March 2025, she stood before a crowd of 75 educators and community leaders at the “Edutainment Revolution” workshop, co-hosted by Pharrell Williams' nonprofit Yellow. Fueled by DJ Yobi Yobz and a live classroom simulation, she opened with the Buddieroe-backed Figurative Language Challenge. This was a bold call to action for those still clinging to outdated ideas of what education should look like.

Leading a room is not new to Gant. She was one of the initial educators in Reading with a Rapper's early pilot classes. In this role, she provided invaluable critique and clarity. When she teamed up with co-founders Jarren Small and Douglas Johnson, it was a perfect match. Gant contributed her teaching expertise. They provided a platform. Together, they crafted the RWAR curriculum—a powerful blend of academic rigor, cultural pride, and musical literacy.

"[Jeremy] was the teacher I needed as a kid," remarks Small. “Now, she retains ownership of her most important asset as a teacher: her lesson plans.”

This is a critical development. Unlike many educational platforms that hold onto content ownership, RWAR guarantees that educators like Gant retain ownership of their lesson plans and the intellectual property they create. This marks a revolutionary shift, redefining both the education and entertainment sectors. Traditionally, these areas have reduced individuals to mere products, but RWAR is changing that narrative.

A New Era, and Much More

RWAR Academy is set to launch this summer. It will offer literacy classes for students in grade 3 and above at The Hive, the RWAR headquarters. However, this initiative is far more than just a summer program. It serves as a proof of concept: What happens when Black educators are equipped with the resources and the authority to lead?

Each course is taught by “edupreneurs,” carefully selected and trained to utilize RWAR’s music-centered approach. Over the span of six weeks, students will enhance their reading and critical thinking skills through the analysis of lyrics, literature, and language. This curriculum teaches not just comprehension, but connection.

“The brand is youthful, quirky, and disruptive,” Small emphasizes. “This next phase is teacher-led. Parents can come to us. We’re asking: how do we get to the kid?”

Rooted in Community, Powered by Culture

Gant’s work aligns with a broader vision that RWAR is cultivating: a movement aimed at restoring education as a communal, culturally-anchored practice. From prospective partnerships with Freedmen’s Town for their Cultureverse Camp to free reading challenges this summer based on Lost & Found by BuddieRoe, RWAR is reclaiming literacy as a form of liberation.

“Teaching ourselves. Sharing with ourselves. That’s where it all started,” Small recalls. “We’re taking all the elements that reflect our culture—churches, spirituals, slang—and employing them for educational purposes.”

This ethos—of reclaiming education through culture, creativity, and community—will be prominently featured at The Cypher. Scheduled for June 20, 2025, this town hall is organized by Legends Do Live and the Greater Houston Black Chamber. It will unite educators, small business leaders, and changemakers for a potent discussion with live demonstrations. The focus will be on school access, ownership, and literacy. Among the highlights: a live Reading with a Rapper classroom experience, and a dialogue with RWAR co-founder Jarren Small about the future of education in Houston.

This event transcends a mere gathering—it reflects the movement that Jeremy Gant has significantly influenced. A movement that doesn’t request permission to shake up the system but rather constructs a superior one from the ground up.

The influence of ownership in education is profound. When teachers possess their ideas, students take ownership of their futures. When culture leads the way, learning transforms into liberation. - [cayla grace sims, rhyme & reason.]

Ready to Be Part of This Movement?

RWAR Academy is now open for summer enrollment. Explore the curriculum. Support the mission. Witness the movement in action. Join us at The Cypher or visit readingwitharapper.com to learn more.

The revolution in literacy isn’t just on the horizon; it has already arrived.

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About *[rhyme and reason.]

[rhyme and reason.] is the storytelling and cultural journalism arm of Reading with a Rapper. We document the people, programs, and philosophies that are redefining education through hip-hop, literacy, and community. We highlight educators, artists, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of learning, with a focus on joy, ownership, and cultural relevance. From classrooms to cyphers, our mission is simple: make it make sense, and make it matter.