CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As a former district court judge, Yolanda Trotman enjoys talking with students about the court system, but one of her favorite activities is reading out loud with them.

• Torrey Smith surprised students at Lawrence Orr Elementary School
• iSpeak pairs professional athletes and other prominent Charlotteans with students at Title 1 schools
• To get involved, reach out to iSpeak Now

“What I always noticed that every time I was done, they always wanted another story, but I never had time to do a second story,” said Trotman.

Trotman's changing that with a little help from the Carolina Panthers. Wide receiver Torrey Smith visited a group of fifth graders at Lawrence Orr Elementary School Friday afternoon as the first secret storyteller.

The program sponsored Trotman's nonprofit iSpeak Now and it pairs professional athletes and other prominent Charlotteans with students at Title 1 schools. During their visits, the Secret Storyteller will read out loud with them and discussing the importance of literacy.

“It’s a long term commitment to the school, so I won’t a choose a Secret Storyteller unless they're willing to come to the school at least once a semester and have an ongoing relationships with the school,” said Trotman, founder of iSpeak Now.

Smith said he's looking forward to building this relationship.

“For me, being new here, I’m excited about having a place that I can continue to come back and check in on some of the kids and develop relationships. That's really what its all about,” said Smith.

“Them telling me to be brave and to speak up, that my voice meant something. It made me very happy,” said Imani Price, a fifth grader at Lawrence Orr Elementary School.

“I got this feeling that like, I’m different from everyone but that's OK. I don’t have to be same as everyone. I can be different in my own way and still shine so bright,” said Denashin Johnson, another fifth grader at Lawrence Orr Elementary School.

Trotman said she has reached out other athletes and entertainers to be Secret Storytellers, but you won't know who they are until they pop up at your school. If you want to get involved, reach out to iSpeak Now.