About Us

Claudia Vega is the founder of the social-impact startup bookstore Whose Books in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood. She is on a mission to eradicate the book desert in Dallas’ southern sector by creating book access and promoting a community of readers. Whose Books is a community-focused bookstore designed to champion literacy on all levels. Its shelves are curated to represent the community’s interests. It’s a space to discover and explore the world through the written word. Claudia is also the founder of the non-profit Activating Reading Communities Organization (ARCO). Aimed at activating Dallas’ Reading Culture. 

Claudia has over 20 years of experience in public education as a bilingual educator and administrator in Dallas ISD. She has coached campus teams in leading positive change that support and advance learning for students. She continues her work in education as a Leadership Development Director for the University of North Texas at Dallas’ Principal Impact Collaborative. 

Claudia earned her Bachelor’s of Journalism and Master’s of Secondary Education from the University of North Texas. She also earned a Master’s of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Texas at Arlington. 

Claudia is a Dallasite and a proud Oak Cliff mother of a big, blended family.  She is also a published children’s book author. 

Marenid Planell Camacho, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is a dedicated professional with over 10 years of invaluable experience in the non-profit field. Her primary focus is on improving and enhancing equitable access to and quality of essential services for diverse communities, with an emphasis on pregnant individuals and their families. Marenid's expertise lies in Perinatal Mental Health and Health Literacy.

Her profound love for books and conviction in the power of literacy as a cornerstone of public health have propelled her to serve as the Director of Development for the Activating Reading Communities Organization (ARCO). She champions the eradication of book access disparities, viewing it as an essential element of public health that demands attention and action.

She earned her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, complemented by a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Public Health, specializing in Planning, Policies, and Health Systems.

Marenid is driven by the overarching goal of ensuring equitable access to essential services by effectively addressing literacy barriers. Her passion, combined with a profound understanding of community engagement, fuels her relentless pursuit of positive change in systems, ultimately benefiting the well-being of individuals and families alike.