Madera Rogers-Henry

Madera Rogers-Henry is an elder, community organizer, educator, and artist whose work merges environmental advocacy with cultural expression. As the founder of Literacy Project International and its flagship program, The Recycle Challenge, she transforms recycled materials into a wide range of artistic creations—from wearable accessories to large-scale paper canvases—using her art as both a medium of visual storytelling and a platform for community empowerment. Her dedication to community organizing was reinvigorated through her service in CARENET AmeriCorps (1998–2000), during which she leveraged connections from over thirty years in the fashion and entertainment industries as a talent development coach to develop educational programs that fostered literacy skills and introduced young people to real-world experiences. This commitment led her to organize numerous business and community initiatives in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. 

 

Beyond her artistic achievements, Madera has held roles as CFO, educator, and youth advocate, using her expertise to create impactful programs for underserved communities. From 1998 to 2010, as a CARENET AmeriCorps member with Adams County School District 14 in Commerce City, Colorado, she spearheaded “Whose Magazine? A Youth Publication” under The Literacy Project, connecting over thirty-six schools and more than 10,000 children to meaningful cultural and educational experiences. Partnerships with Colorado businesses, the Denver Film Society, and Radio Disney enabled youth to report on red carpets, produce a five-minute news show, and interview celebrities such as Morgan Freeman and Raven-Symoné.