Nearly 250 of Houston’s community leaders joined elected officials for the Mayor's Adult Literacy Breakfast on September 14 at the Julia Ideson Building. Candace Burns, anchor with KPRC Channel 2, emceed the event as Mayor Sylvester Turner headlined his final Breakfast as Mayor and stressed the importance of improving adult literacy in our city and the need for increased opportunities that allow individuals to learn basic digital skills to thrive in a connected economy. Turner praised adult learners and recognized award recipients for supporting literacy efforts.

The program kicked off with a recorded video message from Dusty Baker, manager of the Houston Astros and Adult Literacy Ambassador, who was on the road with the team. He shared that he was fortunate to have his mother, who was a teacher, spark his interest in reading. Baker supports the work of the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy. Honorary Chair Phoebe Tudor was not able to attend but sent her best wishes for the successful high-energy day. Chairs Leisa Bowman and Bill Baldwin were thrilled with the capacity-filled room and the money raised for literacy initiatives. Mr. Baldwin said, “Literacy is the key to making a lasting impact in people’s lives. Literate adults can help young learners. Nothing is more critical for the future of our society.”

Dr. Rhea Lawson, Director of Houston Public Library, delivered remarks, as did Federico Salas-Isnardi, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy in Houston, who reminded the audience that “there is no equity without literacy.” Other supporters in attendance included Lisa Helfman, Julie Baker Finck, Vicki Luna, Gloria Bounds, Dan Stoecker and Leila Perrin.

Lifetime Literacy Supporter Community Honorees were Neil and Maria Bush. Mr. Bush spoke of his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and her passion for literacy and advancing literacy in the community. A commitment to continuing her legacy has been a shared mission of the philanthropic couple. The Outstanding Organization Literacy Supporter Award for honoree Legacy Community Health was accepted by Chree Boydstun, Chief Development Officer, who touched on the Legacy Little Readers program. The Outstanding Corporate Literacy Supporter Honoree, Professional Janitorial Services (PJS), sent Jaime Flores, Operations Manager, to accept the award for the company's dedication to promoting literacy in the workforce. Two testimonials were shared by adult literacy learners on how adult literacy programs changed their lives. The audience was moved by personal stories of overcoming odds and difficult experiences by learning to read.

To close out the program, Mayor Turner sat in conversation with Candace Burns. He called for the support of adult literacy organizations and programs, engagement of the community to join in solving our city's low-literacy problem and the critical connection of adult learners to the education they need to be prepared for the future.

For more info, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/adultliteracy/