Tutor named Volunteer of the Year by PAACE

By Manique Braziel

I pulled into the Penn Hills Library to meet Ms. Kimberley Robinson on a sunny afternoon, much welcomed after a grueling winter. Ms. Robinson wears many crowns. She is a poetic orator, artistic expressionist, and the matriarch of her family. She is a gardener, founder of Kiyamma Consultants of Pittsburgh, and so much more. Today, I am meeting Ms. Robinson to discuss her newest achievement—2025 Volunteer of the Year. This honor was presented to her at the recent statewide conference of the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE). With over 100 students tutored, it is without question that this title is duly given to Ms. Robinson, and it is an honor she doesn’t take lightly.

Manique: Tell me what prompted you to become a tutor.

Kimberley Robinson: I've been a tutor for over 20 years. Reading is one of the fundamentals in my household. My mother was a reader and an advocate for reading while I was growing up. She stressed the value of learning new words, knowing the definitions, using them in sentences, and comprehending the meanings. Long before the Carnegie Library in Homewood had a Black History section, there was a bookstore in our neighborhood called the Harambee Bookstore. It functioned like a library. I’d go there to sit and read, borrow books, and return them. It really piqued my interest in other contributions African Americans have made, and continue to make, to society. Reading is the freedom to understand the world, and the ability to comprehend what you read is the greatest freedom.

After graduating from Peabody High School and being part of Upward Bound at Carnegie Mellon University, I continued my education at Connelly Trade School and the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. While working at Crescent Elementary School, I found it amazing how many children could not read and comprehend words. I experienced parents who couldn’t help their children with their homework because the parents could not read. I knew these parents needed support in helping their children.

M: Would you say your passion leans more towards making sure the adults are functionally literate so that they can pass that on to their children?

KR: We are all products of our makers. If our makers don't have the foundational skills needed to help their children, the children cannot succeed and can fall through the cracks. We don't want to have generational illiteracy. At Crescent, we had a high population of great-grandparents and grandparents who were trying to help their grandchildren with homework, and they were struggling because they didn’t have the foundation they needed. Each generational experience of education is different. Because of my experiences and desire to help in the community, I became a tutor to help improve adult literacy.

M: Tell me about your approach to tutoring. What keeps you motivated?

KR: My approach with my students is: failure is not an option. You must be willing to put the time in if you want to have the knowledge. I know people’s situations change, and life can get in the way, especially when you're trying to achieve something. When I'm teaching, I'm not only teaching them how to read; I'm trying to teach them how to survive, and that's important to me. As a tutor, you must be very adaptive, patient, and creative. I have become an aunt, sister, and grandma to my students. I raised two great children, who have volunteered over the years and received awards as well.

M: What grounds you in this work?

KR: My dad was a student at the University of Pittsburgh studying to be a doctor when African American enrollment was very low. My mother ran our house like a CEO and a COO. They were both smart and great people. My brother was even smarter than I was; he had attended the University of Pittsburgh before I did. Growing up in my family was superb. My parents and brother set an exceptional example. They made me determined to succeed.

My parents were real sticklers about education. I can recall when I was in grade school, I was learning to play the violin because one of my dreams was to be the next Jean-Luc Ponty. However, I got a “D” in math class, and it was all over! My mother took my violin away and made me return it to school. My mom never pressured us to get all “A’s”, but her belief was, “Anybody can get a C.” The philosophy in our home was: “You can do anything but fail.” We weren’t the richest folks, but we were determined to make it work. My experience growing up in a proud, determined, and hardworking African American family has kept me grounded. I have passed those tools onto my children and grandchildren.

I want to give my students what was given to me. My grandfather lived to be 101, and he would say, “Take care of yourself,” and “I didn’t get this old being a fool.” When my students become downtrodden, I have to remind them to take a pause for the cause and help them remember what’s important in their lives.

M: How does it feel to be honored as 2025 Volunteer of the Year?

KR: I had no expectations when Pittsburgh East Program coordinator Lisa Morse submitted my name. I thought to myself, “I am not going to win this award.” A lot of other people are after the same award. When I got the email, I was sitting in my car scrolling through my emails. When I read the email, I started screaming and hollering; I thought it was an April Fool’s joke! I called Lisa excited, and she asked, "What's wrong with you?!" I replied, "We won.” I couldn’t believe it. Happy tears came rolling down my face. I called my family and friends. They told me, “You are so deserving.”

These are the experiences that I want to bring to the table. I want my students to understand that they are so deserving. I want them to know that no matter what they go through or how long it takes, they must never give up on their dreams and never give up on their hopes. That is God’s way of saying, “Now it’s your time.” I deserve everything good that comes my way, but I didn’t expect this honor because the reward is in the effort I make. I just want to be a blessing and help others achieve. If I can help someone along the way, then my life will not be in vain.