LeVar Burton: Inspiring a Generation, One Story at a Time
- Sep 17, 2025
- 3 min read
By She Rises Studios
For more than four decades, LeVar Burton has used the power of storytelling to change lives. As an actor, director, and advocate, his voice has become synonymous with literacy, imagination, and transformation. Best known for his iconic roles as Kunta Kinte in Roots, Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the beloved host of Reading Rainbow, Burton’s career has always been deeply rooted in education and empowerment. But beyond the screen, he has emerged as one of the most influential literacy champions of our time—someone who not only tells stories but also teaches the world why stories matter.
When Reading Rainbow premiered in 1983, it wasn’t just another children’s show—it was a movement. With Burton at the helm, the PBS program opened the doors of libraries and imagination for millions of children. For 23 years, he welcomed viewers into a colorful, word-rich world, encouraging them to “take a look, it’s in a book,” and to discover the magic that lives within pages. Burton didn’t just read to children—he modeled curiosity, empathy, and the joy of lifelong learning. In an age before tablets and smartphones, Reading Rainbow helped make reading feel like an adventure worth taking.
What made the show truly groundbreaking was its accessibility. Burton and the team behind Reading Rainbowunderstood that for many children—especially those from under-resourced communities—books were not always easily available, and reading didn’t always feel like a safe or inviting space. The show filled that gap by bringing books to life and celebrating diverse voices, characters, and experiences. Under Burton’s guidance, literacy wasn’t framed as a chore or obligation; it was an opportunity for self-discovery, creativity, and connection.
Burton’s own relationship with storytelling began early. Raised by a strong, education-focused single mother, he learned that words have power—the power to heal, to express, and to challenge the status quo. His breakout role as Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots not only launched his acting career but also marked a cultural turning point in American television. The role, which portrayed the brutal realities of slavery through a powerful personal narrative, deeply impacted audiences and proved that storytelling could be both art and activism.
Since then, Burton has continued to use his platform to advocate for literacy and representation. Whether directing episodes of Star Trek, narrating audiobooks, or launching his own podcast (LeVar Burton Reads), he brings the same passion to every project: helping people understand each other through words. His podcast, which features him reading hand-picked short fiction to adult audiences, has been called “Reading Rainbow for grown-ups”—a testament to his enduring ability to captivate and educate across generations.
In recent years, Burton has spoken out even more boldly about the importance of reading, particularly in an era where books are being challenged or banned in schools and libraries. He has emphasized that literacy is more than just decoding letters on a page—it’s about critical thinking, civic engagement, and understanding the world around us. He reminds us that stories are how we preserve history, explore identity, and imagine better futures. To silence stories is to silence humanity.
In 2023, Burton served as the honorary chair of Banned Books Week, where he championed the right to read freely and without censorship. “Read the books they don’t want you to,” he urged audiences. His stance was clear: advocacy for literacy must also be a defense of intellectual freedom. As more books—particularly those featuring marginalized voices—face removal from shelves, Burton has become a powerful voice for inclusive, accessible education.
His impact continues to evolve. Through his nonprofit work, public speaking, and community engagement, Burton reaches far beyond television screens. He is a trusted figure across generations, someone parents, educators, and young people look to not just for entertainment, but for leadership and truth. In every endeavor, he centers dignity, imagination, and empowerment—reminding us that the simple act of reading can be revolutionary.
In this edition of HANNA Magazine, as we celebrate Voices for Change, LeVar Burton stands as a shining example of how storytelling can shape minds, build empathy, and spark change. His life’s work proves that literacy is not just about learning to read—it’s about learning to think, feel, and grow. It’s about ensuring every child knows they matter, their voice counts, and their story deserves to be told.
LeVar Burton didn’t just teach a generation to love books—he taught us to believe in the transformative power of words. And in doing so, he didn’t just tell stories. He helped write a better future.
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