NIckelodeon Announces March 'Halo Effect' Recipitent as Youth Literacy Advocate

Nickelodeon today announced Imani Henry of Wilmington, Del., as its March HALO Effect honoree. Selected for her work as a youth literacy advocate, Henry will be recognized in an on-air profile on TeenNick throughout the month of March and will be further highlighted on TeenNick.com. In addition, Nickelodeon's HALO Effect will award a $5,000 grant to Brandywine Valley Friends 100 Men Reading, a non-profit organization founded by Henry.

HALO Effect is a year-round initiative that recognizes one deserving teen every month for their work to help and lead others (HALO) in their communities. In its first year, the initiative awarded $50,000 in grants to 10 deserving young people across the country. Henry is the 14th HALO Effect recipient.

Thirteen-year-old Henry began Brandywine Valley Friends 100 Men Reading in 2010 after being inspired by her father and brothers, who played a profound role in helping her overcome her own reading delay. The organization was formed to promote reading and literacy development to young children in Delaware, utilizing male volunteers who serve as literacy mentors. The volunteers visit childcare centers, preschools and Elementary schools, spending nearly 30 minutes reading a story to children while also encouraging them to read. Free books are also given to the children to help reinforce the importance of reading daily.

Since its inception, 100 Men Reading has reached over 20,000 children through school visits and book distributions. The program currently has 10 chapters across Delaware, Maryland, Alabama and Puerto Rico with over 2,000 volunteers.

To nominate someone and for more details about HALO Effect, visit: http://www.teennick.com/shows/halo-effect .

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years.