I am the founder of Miami Book Bridge, an initiative focused on increasing access to literacy in underserved communities across Miami. Through this project, I organize book drives, build and install libraries, and maintain them through consistent restocking to create a long-term impact.
Right now, I am running a community-wide book drive at the Miami Shores Community Center through May 30. We have already collected hundreds of books, and the community support has been amazing. The Miami Shores book drive led to a partnership with the Brockway Library and Barnes & Noble, which have both committed to donating books to support my initiative.
So far, Miami Book Bridge has collected and distributed over 3,000 books, including a large-scale donation to Camillus House, where patrons can keep books to support accessible reading.
I have also begun placing mini libraries in local parks and community spaces — including Williams Park, Gibson Park, and Morningside Park — creating accessible, free book-sharing locations sustained through monthly restocks. I am also working with Miami Bridge to expand access to books for children at both their Central and Homestead locations, and with Kristi House, filling their shelves with books for the children they support.
I also have an upcoming international literacy project in the Bahamas that I am incredibly excited about. I am partnering with EEO Bahamas, an organization dedicated to delivering sustainable special education and literacy support services to children across Eleuthera and Harbour Island. I will be collecting books through Miami Book Bridge to deliver to EEO Bahamas in the coming months. I am really looking forward to expanding Miami Book Bridge’s impact internationally and being able to contribute to an organization that is making such a meaningful difference in its community.
Beyond physical collections, I launched an Instagram platform, @miamibookbridge, in November 2025 to raise awareness, promote drives, and encourage community involvement.
Through Miami Book Bridge, my goal is to help eliminate “book deserts” and make literacy a universal right rather than a privilege.
— Ella Brandt, Founder, Miami Book Bridge
