Shawn Anthony Robinson, a co-author of the “Dr. Dyslexia Dude” series of graphic novels with Inshirah Robinson and illustrator Brandon Hadnot, will be inducted into The Reading Center’s Hall of Fame.
The graphic novels share a compelling story about an African-American boy who is a colorful superhero with dyslexia. The caped character is autobiographically based on Robinson’s early life experiences.
Robinson is a research affiliate with the Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB), which is housed in the UW–Madison School of Education’s Wisconsin Center for Education Research.
“We are extremely proud of the work that Dr. Robinson does,” says Brian Burt, an associate professor with the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and the director and chief research scientist with the Wei LAB. “His work doesn’t just sit on shelves, his work changes lives. This recognition of his body of work and its impact on the field of gifted education and to the lives of student learners is significant. We are proud!”
The Reading Center is a nonprofit based in Rochester, Minnesota, that offers a full array of services for students with dyslexia and their families, including tutoring and training for teachers and parents. Robinson will be honored at the center’s Annual Shining Stars Event on Nov. 4.
At the Wei LAB, Robinson’s work is centered on creating new research pathways related to removing literacy-related barriers to the U.S. workforce, a problem that affects more than 32 million adults in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy. His research interests aim to help cultivate more educational and employment opportunities for populations that experience challenges with reading. He has a particular emphasis on African American males and individuals with dyslexia.
Much of this work is personal in nature to Robinson, who explains how he struggled for much of his life academically, spending time in special education classes since he was in elementary school. He says he graduated high school reading at the elementary education level, but met Professor Robert Nash, who would change his life.
Nash was a professor who helped students with dyslexia and led the college-level reading program called Project Success at UW Oshkosh. Robinson quickly became a fluent reader and would go on to graduate from UW Oshkosh in six years. He has also earned a master’s and PhD.
“Being inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame — alongside my professor, Dr. Nash, who ignited the spark of literacy within me at the age of 18 — is a profound honor that captures the transformative power of education, love, and creativity,” says Robinson, noting that this is Dyslexia Awareness Month. “This recognition not only symbolizes my personal growth but also celebrates the enduring impact of dedicated educators who light the way for lifelong learning. I embarked on this journey starting college reading at an elementary level, and I must admit, it was not an easy path. However, it is precisely these challenges that make this honor even more meaningful, serving as both a victory and symbol of hope for students in special education who feel hopeless.”