Meet Daneell Moore, who earned her Ph.D. in 2007 in Teaching & Learning with a focus on Language, Literacy, and Culture Education. Her research and training centered on preparing future teachers, with an emphasis on literacy. Through hands on research in Nashville and mentorship from Dr. Deborah Rowe, she came to see reading and writing as experiences rooted in identity and family. That foundation now shapes her work as a mother, educator, and creator. Today, she builds books and learning resources alongside her children, turning creativity into community impact.
Q: How did Vanderbilt shape your work and perspective on literacy?
A: Vanderbilt taught me to see literacy as something lived, shared, and felt long before it ever appears on a page. During my three-year research study at a community center in Nashville, I met weekly with a group of girls ranging from elementary age to high school. Each session began with a simple meal—sandwiches, chips, juice—which gave us a chance to connect before our reading workshop began. Those meals became the heart of our time together. Laughter rolled across the table. Hard stories surfaced. Cultural memories and experiences found their way into conversation. I realized that literacy grows where relationships grow is social, relational, and deeply connected to identity.
Influenced by Dr. Deborah Rowe, one of my instructors and my major advisor, I embraced the belief that reading and writing flourish when children are highly engaged and supported through nurturing relationships, especially those found within families. Her guidance shaped not only my research questions but also the lens through which I approach teaching, learning, and family-centered literacy today. Every book my children and I create today grows from this belief: literacy begins with love, identity, culture, and connection.
Q: When did your academic work start to show up in your life as a parent?
A: The moment I realized my academic work had become part of my motherhood came quietly, in a small but powerful moment. My six-year-old son had gone to the table with paper and markers while I stepped into the bedroom. Later, he came to me holding a sheet of paper filled with sketches of a recipe inspired by a meal we had earlier that day.
He asked, “Mommy, how do you spell marshmallow?”
It was a small question, but it carried extraordinary weight. I explained that phonics alone would not help, some words carry history and meaning that must be learned differently. But the real lesson was about listening, noticing, and honoring a child’s natural curiosity. He had already engaged in meaning-making, identity formation, and cultural storytelling, the very concepts I studied at Vanderbilt. At that moment, I understood: my scholarship had become my parenting, my teaching, and the foundation for the family-centered literacy work my children and I now do together.
Q: What inspired you to start creating books as a family?
A: The inspiration to create books and learning resources as a family grew from moments like these, coupled with my work as a college professor at Middle Georgia State University. I led a community project focused on literacy and financial literacy that highlighted youth as entrepreneurs. While searching for young creators in our town, I realized I already had two at home.
My son’s recipe illustrations sparked my daughter’s imagination. At four years old, she didn’t just want to create for fun, she wanted to help other children. She said, “For every dollar we make, I want fifty cents to help other kids have what I have.” Her generosity planted the seeds of our family’s literacy and philanthropic mission. Creating books together became more than a family activity, it became a way to empower children, support families, and impact our community through stories, learning, and shared experiences.
Q: What does your family’s philanthropic work look like today?
A: Our philanthropic vision began with a child’s desire to share what she loved with others. What started with toys, scholarships, and dreams of travel has expanded to include educational resources for students and teachers, field trips for families and schools, and scholarships for young learners. We are also working toward the creation of the Learning Hub—a space where individuals and families can access temporary housing while building skills to support themselves and uplift their communities. Through these efforts, we hope to open doors, shine light where it’s needed, and help children and families know that their voices matter.
Q: What are you hoping to build in the future?
A: Looking to the future, our vision is guided by the same spirit that sparked this journey: learning together, giving together, and creating possibilities together. We hope to expand our books and resources into more homes, classrooms, and community spaces, helping children see themselves as readers, creators, and problem-solvers. Our family-led projects aim to grow scholarships, cultural experiences, field trips, and youth entrepreneurship initiatives that transform communities from within.
Central to these efforts is the What’s Stirring Family Foundation, which is currently being established to support all of our educational and philanthropic initiatives. Through this foundation, we hope to build sustainable programs that meet the evolving needs of children and families. And, of course, we dream of bringing the Learning Hub to life, a place where literacy, housing stability, and community empowerment meet. Ultimately, our hope is to create a legacy built on empowerment, opportunity, and shared voices.
Q: What do you value most from your time at Vanderbilt?
A: One of my most treasured memories at Vanderbilt occurred in 2006, when I took the initiative to lead the MLK Lecture Series. I proposed James Ransome, an extraordinary children’s book illustrator, as the keynote speaker, and the Dean’s office graciously supported my plan. Introducing him to the Vanderbilt community remains a proud moment for me. His presentation was awe-inspiring and educational, promoting literacy as a communal experience that families, students, and the broader community could enjoy. More importantly, the experience reflected Vanderbilt’s trust in my judgment and encouragement of my initiative. It affirmed that literacy and leadership are deeply intertwined—a lesson I carry into my work today.
Q: How do you stay connected as an alum?
A: Being part of Vanderbilt doesn’t end at graduation. I have participated in networking events with the Atlanta alumni chapter and plan to engage more in volunteer opportunities in the future. Recently, I shared updates on my work with the Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni. I stay connected through programs like the Sullivan Family Entrepreneurship Incubation program, where my instructor, Shannon Ware, continues to mentor me, and the Wond’ry Mentor-Mentee Matching Program, where I am grateful to have Hi Leva as a mentor. Their guidance continues to inform and strengthen my work.
I also remain close with faculty who have shaped my thinking. Inspired by Dr. Rich Milner’s work, I organized a year-long faculty book club in 2022 centered on his book, Start Where You Are, but Don’t Stay There. His insights remain an important part of the way I approach teaching, learning, and contributing to my community. I also stay connected with Dr. Vicki Risko, emerita, whose guidance and friendship remain a lasting touchstone in my journey. Being a Vanderbilt alum is not just a title; it is an ongoing journey. The mentorship, trust, and encouragement I received there continue to guide how I parent, teach, create, and serve communities. Vanderbilt remains a living part of our family’s story, shaping the work we do, the voices we lift, and the impact we strive to make.