At Freedom Reads, stories are at the heart of everything we do. They build bridges, open doors, and remind us what transformation looks like in real time. Craig L. Gore is a natural story-teller who brings both craftsmanship and compassion to his dual role as a Communications Associate and a member of the Library Production team.
Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Craig’s life and work are deeply rooted in the community that shaped him. Craig’s path to Freedom Reads has been one marked by both challenge and purpose. As a returning citizen who spent nearly half his life incarcerated, he knows intimately the weight and the possibility that reading can hold for people behind prison walls. “Literacy and reading were a lifeline for me,” he reflects. “They gave me the means to grow, to imagine, to change.” Today, he channels that understanding into his work at Freedom Reads, building the very libraries that now bring books and hope into prison cellblocks across the country.
Craig’s work week reflects the dual nature of his talents. Some days he’s in the shop, hands-on, helping build the beautifully crafted Freedom Libraries. Other days his focus shifts to communications, drafting copy, writing Inside patrons, and helping tell the Freedom Reads story to the world. It’s a rhythm that allows him to balance creativity and precision, storytelling and structure.
When asked what he enjoys most about his work, Craig doesn’t hesitate: “The people I work with, and the opportunity to learn and grow.” That sense of growth, both personal and collective, is central to how he approaches life and leadership.
Among the hundreds of books in the Freedom Library, Craig’s favorite is The Color of Water by James McBride. The memoir’s themes of identity, resilience, and transformation resonate deeply with him, reflecting the kind of layered storytelling he values most.
Outside of Freedom Reads, Craig continues his commitment to community as the founder and executive director of The Critical X Change, a creative and performing arts program that empowers young people through self-determination and creative self-expression. He mentors and uplifts young people impacted by the criminal justice system. Through theater, creative writing, and performance, he helps them find their voice, the same gift he finds through art and literature. “I believe in the transformative power of the arts as a tool for building confidence, leadership, and community,” he says. It’s a belief that has guided every stage of his journey.
And if you ask him what might surprise people most about him, Craig smiles: “I have seven children and five grandchildren.” It’s a fact that adds another layer to his story, one of legacy, love, and the ongoing work of shaping the next generation.
Craig Gore’s journey is a reminder that transformation is not a single moment but a practice, one built from words, work, and an unwavering belief in what people can become when given the chance.