The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

Siobhan Reardon, Free Library of Philadelphia

The Grade-Level Reading Council of Champions honors exemplary volunteers, early care and education providers, school and civic leaders, public officials and others who communities nominate based on their alliance with and support for local and statewide efforts to support early literacy success.

In 2018, 47 communities identified Champions.

“This is a particular honor and I am excited on behalf of Philadelphia to be in the same class as the other 130 inductees,” said Siobhan Reardon, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, upon accepting the honor at GLR Week 2018. “On behalf of all of us, we are truly honored to be thought of in a way that each and every one of us…believe with a deep, deep passion that we must create a country full of readers because it is about the future of this country when you think about all of the little people who have to learn to read and represent us as we all go forward.”

Among past GLR Council of Champions honorees across the country are superintendents, national and state legislators, local government officials, foundation leaders and nonprofit organization founders.

“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s honorees into the GLR Council of Champions and privileged to work with such outstanding leaders,” said Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. “Their leadership helps to ensure that communities are ‘connecting the dots’ to ensure early school success. Moving the needle on grade-level reading takes consistent two-generation supports and interventions, and our Champions’ contributions in these solutions areas are driving the bigger outcomes and game-changing impact that assure more hopeful futures for the next generation.”

2018 COUNCIL OF CHAMPIONS BY COMMUNITY

COUNCIL OF CHAMPIONS – CHARTER MEMBERS

The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading inducted fifteen individuals into the Council of Champions as charter members:

Martha Bruckner
Superintendent, Council Bluffs Community School District
John H. Davis
Senior Trustee, Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ventry Industries, LLC
Sandra Deal
First Lady of Georgia
Brenda Fitzgerald
Commissioner (2011-2017), Georgia Department of Public Health
Morgan Freeman*
Oscar-winning Actor & Founder, Tallahatchie River Foundation
Carole Groom*
San Mateo County Supervisor
Sandra Guiterrez
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, Founder and National Director
Kamala Harris*
Former Attorney General of California (2011 to 2017)
The Honorable Sylvester “Sly” James
Mayor Kansas City, MO
Michael Johnston
Former state legislator in the Colorado Senate, representing Senate District 33 in Northeast Denver
Portia Kennel
Buffett Early Childhood Foundation
Rhonda H. Lauer
President and CEO Foundations
Preston Prince
President of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
Angel Taveras
Former Mayor Rhode Island
James G. Williamson*
President, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

* Elected to the Council of Champions; induction yet to occur.