The Georgia Council on Literacy proudly announced the launch of the "Georgia Reads Campaign" during the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Annual Conference on Monday, June 24. This ambitious initiative seeks to elevate awareness around the importance of improving reading skills across all age groups, foster activities aimed at boosting literacy rates, and honor community partnerships that are actively working towards a more literate Georgia.
The campaign is a collaborative effort with key partners including GMA, its nonprofit arm Georgia City Solutions, and the Share the Magic Foundation.
Malcolm Mitchell, CEO and Founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, made the official announcement during the GMA 2024 Annual Convention. Mitchell, a Super Bowl champion, author, speaker, and youth literacy advocate, will serve as the Georgia Reads Coach.
His announcement included an inspirational message and a panel discussion on literacy featuring notable leaders such as Honorable Jon Burns, Speaker of Georgia’s House of Representatives, and Mrs. Dayle Burns; Senator Billy Hickman, District 4 Statesboro; Scott Johnson, Chairman of the Georgia Council on Literacy; and Larry Hanson, CEO and Executive Director of GMA. Each of these leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing literacy in Georgia.
“The Georgia House has long supported initiatives that improve literacy outcomes for our students and assist our dedicated teachers,” said House Speaker Jon Burns. “A child’s reading ability greatly influences their future success, and it is our collective responsibility to emphasize the importance of reading to future generations. Dayle and I are excited to join the Georgia Council on Literacy, GMA, and the Share the Magic Foundation to promote community involvement in student achievement across our great state.”
Senator Billy Hickman, a key advocate for Senate Bill 211 which established the Georgia Council on Literacy, emphasized the campaign's significance. “This campaign marks a crucial step forward in supporting community partnerships dedicated to improving student literacy outcomes.”
Georgia City Solutions has been actively implementing literacy programs statewide, focusing on reducing intergenerational poverty.
“Joining the Georgia Reads Campaign highlights our dedication to addressing literacy as a critical issue affecting education, the economy, workforce development, and quality of life in Georgia’s cities,” said GMA CEO & Executive Director Larry Hanson. “This campaign will honor communities ensuring every Georgian has the opportunity to read, learn, and succeed. We are proud to be part of this transformative effort.”
Key campaign elements will include recognizing community partners making significant strides in literacy and investing in sustainable literacy improvements.
“Community-level support for literacy initiatives is essential for fostering a culture of learning and success across our state,” said Scott Johnson, Chairman of the Georgia Council on Literacy. “The Georgia Reads Campaign offers vital resources and recognition to individuals and communities positively impacting literacy.”
The campaign will feature several events and initiatives, including:
- Georgia Reads Community Awards: Up to ten community partnerships will be recognized for notable literacy progress over the past three to five years. Each winning community will receive up to $25,000 for continued literacy efforts and a visit from Mitchell and the Share the Magic Foundation.
- READBowl: A statewide reading challenge hosted by Georgia Reads and the Share the Magic Foundation. Georgia elementary, middle, and high school classrooms/teams with the highest average reading minutes will win state recognition, a Capitol visit, and the READBowl state championship trophy.
- Georgia Reads Day at the Capitol: Scheduled for February 2025, this event will unite Georgians to celebrate the importance of literacy.
“As the Georgia Reads Coach, I am honored to support this crucial initiative to promote literacy across Georgia,” said Mitchell. “Growing up in Valdosta, I experienced firsthand the transformative power of reading. The Georgia Reads Campaign, in collaboration with GMA, Georgia City Solutions, and the Share the Magic Foundation, will recognize and support the community partnerships driving real progress. Together, we can inspire every child to discover the joy of reading and achieve their full potential.”
The Georgia Reads Community Award application period opens on September 30 and closes on November 26, 2024. For more information about the Georgia Council on Literacy and the Georgia Reads Campaign, please visit Georgia Council on Literacy
