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Nita Whitaker LaFontaine

Founder & President

Nita grew up in Louisiana loving books and reading due in great part to her librarian mother Ola Mae Whitaker. Following the passing of her husband, voice over legend Don LaFontaine who was a voracious reader, she was inspired to create In A World With Books – the name being taken from a familiar phrase Don wrote while working as a writer for movie trailers. A former Miss Louisiana, Hall of Fame Star Search Grand Champion, recording artist, actor, and award-winning author, Nita is also the mother of two brilliantly talented daughters, Skye and Liisi. “Giving books is a passion, and seeing the eyes of children light up when they receive a books they get to own is immeasurable.”

Cindy Courtier

Board Secretary

A fundraising strategist and writer for non-profit organizations, Cindy is a voracious reader who always has “five or six booking going at the same time!” The first book she remembers her grandmother reading to her was “The Pokey Little Puppy”. Her love of reading was nurtured during long, hot summers spent in the children’s department of her local library. She shares her passion for books with her family and friends, and with young children through her volunteer work for In A World With Books.

Robbie Davis

Board Member

As President/CEO of DG Entertainment, a multiple award-winning media company specializing in advertising and promotion, Robbie and his creative team serve all the major studios, dozens of broadcast and cable networks as well as ad agencies worldwide. It was DG’s movie trailer work that first introduced Robbie and legendary voice-over artist, Don LaFontaine. As the result of that long-time friendship and Robbie’s appreciation of the written as well as the spoken work, he became one of the founding board members of IAWWB. “Our job is to reach to underprivileged children and provide them with books they couldn’t otherwise afford.”

Adam “Aejay’e” Jackson

Board Member

A native of Detroit, Husband, Father, Brother, Actor, Recording Artist, Aejay’e was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. During high school, his mentors would stress the importance of reading and mentorship. Graduating from college, Adam relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. While working full time as an Actor/ Vocal Artist, he also mentors young high school men through his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi’s Mentorship Program. “I am blessed to pass on what was shared with me many years ago: ‘Sometimes the best trip you can take is in a book.’”

Don LaFontaine

Guiding Light

In the spirit of the generosity of Don LaFontaine, we give these books because books were the fundamental, integral foundation of his voiceover career. Our dream is to expand this ideal to reach across the nation so that every child can have at least one book in their home.
Don believed in the power of reading and how it can enrich children’s lives. Because we are a volunteer organization, every gift we receive will help purchase and deliver books to underserved and underprivileged children.

Scotch Ellis Loring

Board Member

Beginning his career as as Tootie’s suitor on The Facts of Life, Scotch has worked with decorated directors including Francis Ford Coppola, David Fincher and Todd Holland.  His producing, singer/songwriter career includes national tours for Andrew Lloyd Weber and Frank Wildhorn. He has recorded two solo Cds. “Original Scotch” and “Standard Scotch.  An award-winning film maker, Scotch is the writer/director of the hit web series “Faux Show” starring Tiffany Haddish and Kim Coles, and the proud father of an ever-expanding family.

Kimberly Rolfe

Board Treasurer

Kimberly Kelly-Rolfe is founder and CEO of Kelly Rolfe Financial Services (www.kellyrolfe.com), a Los Angeles based accounting firm, established in 2005. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a Master of Science degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from USC’s Marshall School of Business. She teaches workshops on business and finance and in 2017, launched Accelerate Business Training to help entrepreneurs launch, run and grow in business.

Kim Louis-Pankey

Board Member & Website Maven

Born in Sydney Australia and moving to Los Angeles in 2009, some of Kim’s earliest memories are staying up well after bedtime under the covers with a flashlight and a book. Reading and study have continued to shape her life with an MBA in marketing and a marketing career spanning thirty years with some of the globes largest advertising agencies. With three children, her own LA advertising agency Jarra Digital and charity work, Kim now loves reading on the go with Audible. She is excited to help foster a love of reading in the next generation with In A World With Books.