Building Connection, Confidence, and Opportunity Through Books
From Temple University football teammates to nationally recognized literacy champions: meet the co-founders of FathersRead365.
Akeiff Staples
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Entrepreneur, author, and strategic leader with a longstanding passion for advocacy and empowering underserved populations. Inspired by his early work with at-risk youth, Akeiff is deeply committed to fatherhood, family engagement, and strengthening parent-child bonds. He oversees FathersRead365's vision, operations, partnerships, and organizational growth, creating lasting opportunities for families to thrive.
Brent Johnstone
Co-Founder & Director of Community Engagement
Author, literacy advocate, and community leader championing dyslexia awareness, fatherhood, and early childhood education. Drawing from his personal journey with dyslexia, Brent engages families, educators, and communities to promote reading confidence, inclusion, and educational opportunities. His hands-on approach to outreach helps build meaningful relationships and expand FathersRead365's impact.
The Genesis of FathersRead365
Brent Johnstone and Akeiff Staples are former Temple University football teammates, longtime friends, and the co-founders of FathersRead365. In 2017, they recognized an urgent need — to strengthen early literacy, expand access to books, and inspire fathers and caregivers to become more active participants in their children's learning.
Their shared commitment has grown into a father-focused, family-centered movement rooted in one powerful belief: reading is one of the most transformative ways to build connection, confidence, and opportunity.
Our Compassionate Approach
FathersRead365 offers compassionate, nonjudgmental, and inclusive literacy programming that equips parents and caregivers with practical tools — making reading engaging, meaningful, and consistent from before children enter school and throughout their entire educational journey. Our leadership team brings lived experience, deep community relationships, program development expertise, and years of hands-on service to children and families.
Tangible Community Impact
Since its founding, FathersRead365 has donated more than 350,000 books, connecting families with literacy resources through community events, school partnerships, book distributions, parent-engagement initiatives, and read-aloud experiences. Our work goes beyond placing books in homes. We strive to inspire lasting reading routines, strengthen family relationships, and help children build personal home libraries that support lifelong learning.
Honors, Awards & Recognition
"Reading Is Love" Documentary
FathersRead365's story and mission are featured in the documentary Reading Is Love. The film explores the power of fathers, families, and communities using reading to build stronger bonds, create positive childhood experiences, and help young people develop the confidence to thrive.
Fathers Read 365 Foundation, Inc. was formally established in October 2025 as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation is recognized as a 509(a)(2) public charity, files annual Form 990 reports, and provides donors with a tax-deductible charitable giving receipt to the extent permitted by law.
Federal Tax ID (EIN): 39-4716811