Literacy Partners, a nonprofit organization founded in 1973, prides itself on supporting families who are excluded from education through the power of literacy.
Whether it be because of racial or ethnic segregation and discrimination, economic challenges, sexism, or immigration status, Literacy Partners uses a two generation approach to bring education in a struggling family’s home at no cost. The organization has helped more than 25,000 adults make better lives for themselves and their families through free adult education classes in New York City.
Along with workshops, parents and caregivers are given the necessary tools that are needed to create a successful future for themselves and their children. Literacy Partners aim to use their programs to break the cycle of poverty, improve job prospects, and more.
The nonprofit organization celebrated 50 years of their wonderful achievements Monday evening during their, “Evening of Readings and Gala Dinner,” at Pier Sixty, in Manhattan. Its purpose was to allow Literacy Partners to extend their heartfelt gratitude to those in attendance, whose unwavering dedication and support fueled the organization’s continued success throughout the years. The night allowed notable public figures to be presented with awards and others to be honored.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Cynthia McFadden speaks onstage at the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Literary Partners)
Before entry, attendees walked the red carpet to be photographed and interviewed by the press. They were led inside to the pre-reception hall, where they were met with the most beautiful view of The Hudson River.
With floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous outside deck, attendees could feel the breeze on their skin as they walked outside, mingling and helping themselves to the open bars located both in and outside. After being requested to take their seats, the gala and dinner kicked off with an opening act from the band, Rare Vintage, while guests dined on their first course, a stone fruit salad. Consisting of burrata, picked nectarines, cured olives, watermelon radish frisée, arugula, mint, drizzled in white balsamic, guests were also served red and white wine as the gala’s host took to the podium.
American television journalist, Cynthia McFadden, welcomed everyone to the celebration of literacy and acknowledged significant figures in particular stating, “We have movie stars here tonight, we have publishing stars here tonight, we have fabulous authors here tonight, and we have amazing television journalists here tonight!”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: (L-R) Deborah Roberts and Al Roker pose with awards during the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Literacy Partners)
This salute led to the first award of the evening as McFadden welcomed television news couple, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, to the stage to accept The Spirit of Literacy Award. With more than a decade in the new industry, the couple also added authors to their extensive resumes. Roberts is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life while Roker has penned thirteen acclaimed books as a New York Times bestselling author as well. Together they both co-authored Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom For Modern Times.
During their speech, Roker spoke about the impact that public libraries have had on him during his childhood. “We are both very fortunate to have had rich lives filled with books and learning and have both authored books. It is an honor tonight to celebrate the work being done to make sure so many others in the city and this country have that too.” Roberts added her gratitude as well as she expressed the privilege of gaining an education as it related to her career, with hopes that more families will receive those same resources through Literacy Partners.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Brian Murray speaks onstage during the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Literary Partners)
CEO and President of publishing company, HarperCollins, Brian Murray, accepted the The Literacy Partnership Award on behalf of the company.
Murray thanked the nonprofit for recognizing the company’s more than 200-year commitment to literacy excellence and its 30+ year partnership with Literacy Partners. At the end of his speech, Murray introduced EGOT actress, Viola Davis, as he presented her with The Champion of Literacy Award.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Viola Davis speaks onstage during the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Literary Partners)
Published by HarperCollins, Davis, graced the podium to describe how becoming the author of her memoir, Finding Me, shaped her as a storyteller. The room fell silent as all focus was aimed at the phenomenal actress as she detailed how her love of literature began as a child.
”My coming to reading was out of healing, desperation, and survival. I needed my imagination because it was in that world that I needed to be pretty, a warrior…that I could live in a treehouse like the Berenstain Bears…that I could be safe. It was through that that I would leave school at the age of five and walk to the library and I would stay there until dark then go home.” Davis added how creating a book helped her inner child to finally be seen. “It wasn’t until I became 54 that reading and words became something different. It became a way for me to transform and reconcile little Viola who still lived and tugged at me. I could not escape into another writer’s world…I had to create that world. It was through writing my book that I wanted to go through a powerful and transformational journey where I went to my innermost cave and didn’t come face to face with God or with demons but with me. Every page I wrote, every word that came out of my pen was a way of me achieving that. Imagination is healing. Words and books are healing. I wanted to be seen and books afforded me that. Now, I have a book that allows others who struggle as I had, to be seen.” Davis was met with a standing ovation as she exited the stage with a wave of thanks.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Julia Alvarez poses with an award during the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Literacy Partners)
Ethan Hawke, Julia Alvarez, and Andrew Tassi were also awarded with The Champion of Literacy Award. Hawke danced his way onto the stage to quote his favorite words from the late essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, that he had also included in one of his first films, Dead Poets Society. He reads, “I cannot remember the books I read anymore than the meals I’ve eaten. Evenso, they have made me.” He agrees with Emerson’s quote, adding how much of a privilege reading is and how it makes a person who they are.
Dominican author, Julia Alvarez received her award for her 50-year career of inspiring millions of readers. As young children are taught their ABC’s through alphabet books, Alvarez’s speech consisted of the same writing style, giving each letter a word that held dear to her heart. As the dynamic CEO of Literacy Partners, Andrew Tassi, was given his award for his visionary leadership over the past 11 years. During his speech he gifted guests with Literacy Partners’ own book, The First 50 Years, that details the organization’s history. Before the gala transitioned to dinner, author Michael Korda, was the last to accept his Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and indelible mark on American publishing.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Elizabeth T. Peabody poses with an award during the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Literacy Partners)
The entrée of the night was a green market braised short rib. It was topped with a cauliflower parsnip puree, swiss chard, heirloom carrots and fingerling chips. During the intermission, guests dined on their delicious meal as music scored by American musician and composer, Jongnic “JB” Bontemps played throughout the room. As the gala resumed, it was time to present the last awards. Board President of Droste Mental Health Services, Elizabeth T. Peabody was given The Lizzie Award to thank her for being a longtime supporter and ally of Literacy Partners for over 25 years.
After the honorees, student speaker, Sophia Nichson, took to the podium to express her undying love and appreciation she states she will forever have for Literacy Partners and its teachers. She enrolled in 2021 to help with her literacy skills in order to be a better mother for her daughter. Guests first watched an old video of Nichson’s speech and were delighted to see how much her literary speech had improved while listening to her confidently communicate her words that night in person.
She was given a standing ovation as she left the stage with her daughter. Rare Vintage’s band closed out the evening with their own rendition of Bruno Mars’ song, “Uptown Funk,” as guests made their way to the reception hall for tasty desserts.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Sophia Nichson speaks onstage at the Literacy Partners 50th Anniversary Evening Of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier 60 on June 10, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Literary Partners)
The Evenings of Readings and Gala Dinner raised over one million dollars to support literacy education, advocacy, and programming in New York. For more information about Literacy Partners and to support their mission, please visit LiteracyPartners.org for more information.
