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Mayor's Literacy Alliance Adds Literacy Month Events

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

The Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance (MLA) is in the middle of a series of events in celebration of National Literacy Month and to provide assistance to people in the community. It has added two more events to the calendar (updated below): a Reading Rally and Miss Georgia 2023 visiting schools.
 
“Our goal is to highlight the importance of improving literacy among children and adults in the community by raising awareness and engaging the community,” says MLA Executive Director Jim Montgomery. “We are committed to increasing the advocacy and visibility of literacy throughout the community and are looking forward to welcoming people at any and all of these amazing events.”

 “Improving our literacy rates is at the core of helping all people have a better future, whether it’s reading literacy, financial literacy, or technological literacy,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “And we need to make sure all people – both children and adults – have access to the services they need, so I want to thank the Alliance for scheduling events offering a variety of services.”

MLA focuses primarily on the following pillars of literacy for which priorities are identified in its strategic plan: Family Literacy, Digital Literacy, Environmental Literacy, Re-Entry Literacy and Workforce Development Literacy. 

The activities in this calendar are open to the public, except for the luncheon which is by invitation only. More events will be announced as they are scheduled.

Professional Resume and Interview Workshop

Monday, September 25 * 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Charles H. Jones Advanced Technology Center (3300 Macon Tech Drive)

In collaboration with Middle Georgia WorkSource Georgia, MLA will co-host a resume writing and interview workshop. This free resume writing class will also include information about cover letters, soft skills, interview tips, and employer insights.

Essay Competition

Monday, September 25 – October 20
For public and private school students

The Macon200 Bicentennial Committee, in collaboration with the MLA, will promote an essay competition in all public and private schools in Macon-Bibb. One winner per school will be selected at each of the following grade levels: 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each school will select its top three winners and submit the name of the top winner to the selection committee. All school winners will receive awards, and one winner will be chosen at each level as the overall winner of the essay competition for Macon-Bibb County.

Re-entry Community Forum

Tuesday, September 26 * 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Rescue Mission of Middle GA (6601 Zebulon Road)

A forum will be held featuring various speakers, including Judge Bill Adams, Mr. Cass Hatcher, Brittany Lucas, Janet Wright, and others. Information related to record restrictions, adult education, mental health, obtaining a GED and beyond, and obtaining a Driver’s license, identification, birth certificate, or social security card will be presented.

Miss Georgia 2023, Tara Schiphof, #yesYOUcan School Tour

Wednesday, September 27 * 7:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Westside High School           7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Southwest High School        8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Rutland High School            9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Central High School            11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Northeast High School       12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Howard High School            1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
 
Tara Schiphof, Miss Georgia 2023, will visit each high school in the Bibb County School District to discuss her Community Service Initiative, #yesYOUcan. This work focuses on helping others within communities to develop healthy coping mechanisms and skills to persevere through life’s greatest challenges by changing the way they view failure. Tara has been able to provide multiple scholarships to students through the #yesYOUcan Scholarship Fund and is working towards implementing #yesYOUcan after school programs in Georgia. Autographs and pictures will be made available to participants.
 
A Seat at The Literacy Table Project
Wednesday, September 27 * 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
L.H. Williams Elementary School (325 Pursley Street)

The table is where decisions are made. This hands-on project allows individuals to bring their seats to the table. Using a multigenerational approach, students, parents, grandparents, and community members will be able to talk about the importance of literacy while embracing the five pillars of literacy that represent the focus of the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance. Individuals will create and design their own folding chairs and while creating them, they will discuss the importance of literacy. The goals of this project are to provide a point for individuals to examine the value of literacy, as well as make a collective statement about the power of being literate. Door prizes will be given.

 
Reading Rally with Malcolm Mitchell
(Author, Poet, and Former NFL Superbowl Champion)
Wednesday, September 27 * 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Rosa Taylor Elementary (2976 Crestline Drive)
 
Malcolm Mitchell is a native of Valdosta, Georgia, and a former professional football player for the New England Patriots who is a 2017 Super Bowl Champion. Malcom created a youth literacy initiative called Read with Malcolm and is Founder and CEO of the Share the Magic Foundation to transform lives through literacy. He is a published author who speaks on topics including the power of literacy, overcoming adversity, and teamwork. Malcolm has been featured nationally in television and print media by CBS Evening News, CBS Sports, CNN, ESPN, USA Today, Sports Illustrated Kids, and others.
 
Career Fair
Thursday, September 28 * 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bibb Mt. Zion Baptist Church (3268 Avondale Mill Road)

Job seekers and community members are in for a remarkable experience at the upcoming Job and Resource Fair. This dynamic and all-encompassing event will feature more than thirty prominent employers from various industries, presenting attendees with a unique chance to engage directly with potential employers and discover many promising career opportunities.