Meet the Team
Our team brings a wealth of passion, youth and academia experience from some of the most distinguished schools, halls of ivy, organizations, and establishments. We each share a unified mission, to serve children and help develop their love for reading and literature.
JUREMA GORHAM
Burst into Books
Creator, Founder, & Executive Director
Jurema Gorham affirms Burst Into Books as an organization that is rooted in instilling our children with the essential tools to grow academically. A life-long learner, Jurema has taught professionally since 2008, working with grades K-12. Seeking inspiration along her professional career, Jurema stays in student mode all the time. When she was pregnant with her son, she yearned for advancement in her career, so Jurema decided to pursue her first Masters’ degree in Educational Leadership. She moved from elementary education to high school, teaching at the freshman level. She noticed many students had learning disabilities. Students were supposed to be at a certain level, but many were not. Here she realized the importance of differentiation learning, so in 2016, inspired by the students who didn’t receive individual support, she went back to school to earn a second Masters’ degree in Differentiated Instruction. Within the last couple years, Jurema moved out of the classroom, coaching teachers and helping them to reach the needs of each individual student. Currently pursuing her Phd, Jurema’s mission is to help focus on the school system and attack many of the loopholes such as standardized testing and other factors why students aren’t mastering tests, excelling and more. Jurema’s experience with navigating relationships between parents, students, administrators, teachers and communities have provided her with a clear advantage of helping address the educational and systemic issues while creating impact outside of the classroom.
As she enters her 15th year as an educator, she understands the power of being a strong reader. Not only does reading opens a new world to your child, they will strengthen their ability to excel in all of their subjects in school. As she continues to push her son, Trey to explore the world through reading, Jurema’s personal mission is to take along as many children as possible on the same adventure. Jurema is committed to creating a safe space for all children to engage with text and dialogue which is remarkably needed in the community.
Jermaine nolen
PUBLICATIONS MANAGER
Jermaine Nolen is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and journalist based in Chicago, Illinois. Born and raised in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on the city's South Side, Nolen draws profound inspiration from his community and ancestral heritage. His artistic practice encompasses visual art, poetry, and design, often exploring the interplay between color theory and minimalism. Utilizing mediums such as acrylic paint on stretched canvas, his work delves into the subtle dynamics of movement and depth, inviting viewers to engage with spatial ambiguity and introspection.
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In addition to his visual artistry, Nolen has established himself in the field of journalism. He serves as a wire reporter covering breaking news for the Chicago Sun-Times, bringing timely stories to the public's attention. His journalistic journey began after his service in the U.S. Navy, where he worked as an air traffic controller. Following his military tenure, Nolen pursued journalism studies at Columbia College Chicago, contributing to the Columbia Chronicle during his academic tenure.
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Nolen's multifaceted career reflects a commitment to storytelling in various forms, bridging the realms of art and journalism to shed light on diverse narratives within his community and beyond.
ALIYAH SCIMONE
TEACHING ARTIST
Poet, writer and entrepreneur, Miss Aaliyah Scimone (or Miss Scimone), started out as a poet and lifestyle blogger until she graduated with her bachelors in Psychology and began her pursuit for her masters in Communications and Media when she realized that teaching and leadership was her ultimate calling. Now, Miss Scimone works as a contracted community leader and organizer on Chicago's South side.
SHENEA AUSTIN
PROGRAM MANAGER INTERN
Shenea Austin is a passionate dancer, choreographer, and event assistant whose vibrant energy and deep love for youth empowerment define her every move. At just 23 years old, she is already making a meaningful impact as a staff member at Gary Comer Middle School, where she thrives on inspiring and guiding young minds. As a proud Black woman and devoted mother to her daughter, Amour, Shenea brings warmth, resilience, and authenticity to every space she enters.
Currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Analysis at Purdue University Global, Shenea is committed to both personal growth and professional excellence. Whether she’s leading a dance rehearsal, coordinating events, or encouraging students, she remains dedicated to showing young people—especially young single mothers—that dreams are still within reach.
In her free time, Shenea enjoys the simple joys of life: playing with her daughter, diving into good books, vibing to music, and spending quality moments with family and friends. Full of love, joy, and unwavering determination, she strives to be a positive influence and a powerful representation of what it means to rise, inspire, and never stop dreaming.