S. Michele Echols, the 2017 National Institute for Literacy Scholarship Award from the Coalition of Adult Basic Education (COABE), currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Information Studies from the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at Long Island University (LIU), President of the New York Black Librarian’s Caucus, New York Library Association (NYLA) Councilor-at-Large representing Academic Libraries, and Adjunct Professor at ASA College in New York City. Michele has worked in the non-profit sector and education for over 20 years; her areas of expertise include information / digital literacy, research analysis, staff development including responsibilities in curriculum development, case management, supervision, program development for both youth and adults, presentations and special events work. Michele’s background and experience, working in education, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations, laid the foundation for advocacy and consultancy work.

Michele holds a Master’s degree in Library Science from St. John’s University and a Masters in Philanthropy and Fundraising and Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities from New York University.   A presenter at numerous conferences and workshop presentations, her essay entitled “What Does Black Public Librarianship Look Like in the 21^st Century; the proverbial Information Age?” was published in the 21st-Century Black Librarian in America.

A native New Yorker, she enjoys reading, and participating in community service, and lives by the words of late activist Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”