Our Team
STAFF
Michael Brix (he/him)
Executive Director
michael@treehousebooks.org
Contact Michael about corporate sponsorships, financial giving, board participation, and institutional connections.
Michael comes to Tree House Books with over 20 years of leadership and social justice and activism work. Most recently Michael was the Executive Director for Yes! And… Collaborative Arts, a youth arts empowerment organization he helped found in 1999. After years working in the arts and youth development sector, Michael started with Tree House Books in 2019. He has his Master’s in Organizational Development and his BA in Education. Michael brings a passion for social justice, youth leadership, collaboration, and community development - utilizing the strengths of the community.
Michael remembers reading the Chronicles of Narnia with his mom and sister before bedtime when he was young.
Tang Wilson (he/him)
Managing Director
tang@treehousebooks.org
Contact Tang about all our programming, including Access to Books and Literacy programs.
Tang Wilson, our Managing Director of Programs, has been a part of our team as a Teaching Artist with our Equity Pods and an advisor to the Youth Leaders Fellowship. Tang is a community organizer in Philadelphia, by way of South Carolina. He prioritizes wellness and healing for Black and Brown people by organizing for and being a member of free market models like the Germantown Supply Hub. Tang is a student of abolitionist practices and the radical tradition and hopes to curate spaces for community aid and mentorship of Black youth.
Tang’s favorite book at the moment is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Emma Goldstein (she/her)
Giving Library & Book Donations Manager
emma@treehousebooks.org
Contact Emma about our Giving Library, book donations, books drives, and book requests for your program/center.
Emma was a volunteer with Tree House Books before joining the staff in 2017. She also manages the Giving Library and volunteer scheduling. A graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in sociology, and utilizing a social change lens of community activism, Emma brings to us a wealth of experience working in community and educational settings throughout New Jersey, Ohio, and Philadelphia.
Emma’s favourite book is Beloved by Toni Morrison
Mari Britt (they/he)
Community Book Distributor
mari@treehousebooks.org
Contact Mari through the online form to book the Traveling Tree House to come to you.
Mari is a community organizer, poet, and scare actor from West Philadelphia.
They hold a Bachelor's in English with minors in Sociology and Africana Studies, but they are committed to being a lifelong student of the body, Black authorship, revolutionary practice, and astrology. Now, Mari organizes wholeheartedly for the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown people.
His favorite book is An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon.
Omi Abiodun (she/they)
Administrator
info@treehousebooks.org
Omi is a first-generation American of Nigerian and South African descent.
With their administrative and organisational skills from their previous positions and having lived in several states and countries, she brings a diverse approach and thought process to all settings. Outside of work, Omi enjoys herself by reading, crocheting, cooking and exploring different facets of creativity and art modalities.
As a child, she remembers sharing the series of books Junie B Jones by Barbara Park with her sibling. They were her favourite books.
Deirdre Hyman (she/her)
Program Coordinator
deirdre@treehousebooks.org
Contact Deirdre for information on Tree House Programs, Outreach & Community Events
As a lifelong learner, artist and entrepreneur, she has dedicated herself to the empowerment and holistic development of children everywhere through art, music, and entrepreneurship.
Deirdre is very family oriented and works to support families throughout Philadelphia; battling the injustices of poverty and underserved schools.
In her free time, she likes to read with her kids. One of their favorite books is Don't Push the Button, by Bill Cotter.
Cheryl Bryant (she/her)
Literacy Specialist
Cheryl is a literacy specialist with over 20 years of teaching, coaching, and parent engagement experience. She is a native Philadelphian who was raised in North Philadelphia, not far from Tree House Books. She was educated in the Philadelphia school system. Cheryl enjoys sharing her love of literacy with learners of all ages. She is passionate about engaging families in interactive experiences.
One of her favorite children’s books is Bud, Not Buddy.
Liza Valovatsky (she/her)
Weekend Library Manager
Liza has always been an avid, imaginative reader and her curiosity led her to acquire a Bachelor’s in Neuroscience from Temple University. Aside from being the Weekend Library Manager, Liza works as a Laboratory Technician studying cellular research. Her experiences picking out books for her niche interests motivate her to interact with library visitors individually to find books specific to their own hobbies and passions.
Her favorite book is The Metamorphosis by Fran’s Kafka.
VOLUNTEERS
We are thankful to the hundreds of volunteers that give their time to support our organization, and the children and families in our community.
I’lea Roberts (she/her)
Assistant Teacher
lee@treehousebooks.org
Hi! My name is I'lea, but my community calls me Lee or Ms. Lee. I love reading, writing and spending time with kiddos.
I'm a published Author, spoken word artist, and history nerd.
Currently, my favorite book is , This Black Skin of Mine, a collection of poems by me :)