I Would Rather Be Reading (IWRBR) was founded by Ashley Dearinger and Allison Ogle, two lifelong educators who recognized a critical gap in literacy support for children facing systemic barriers. Raised in Louisville, KY, both Ashley and Allison earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education, along with certifications in literacy intervention, special education, teacher leadership, and Trauma-Informed Care. Their journey as advocates for equitable education began in the classrooms of Jacob Elementary, where they witnessed firsthand the profound impact of trauma on students' ability to learn and succeed.

Determined to break cycles of educational inequity, they launched their first summer program, Camp Good Books, in 2018. Designed to provide intensive literacy intervention in a trauma-responsive environment, the camp helped nine students achieve between six to twelve months of literacy growth in just six weeks. The success of Camp Good Books fueled their passion to create IWRBR, an organization dedicated to empowering children through individualized literacy support, social-emotional learning, and advocacy.