“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. 

A Night of Literacy with Dr. Grace Simmons

Dr. Grace Simmons, Head of the Lower School at Stratford Academy, will host an evening of literacy for families. Dr. Simmons is a published author, passionate educator, and advocate of literacy. Her book, Grace and Winifred, is a short story about an elementary school teacher and the love she has for her puppy. Dr. Simmons will discuss the importance of literacy to families, conduct a mini writer's workshop, read-aloud, and Q & A session. There will be giveaways and copies of her book will be available.

Literacy Month Celebration Luncheon

The Board of Directors of the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance presents its 2^nd Annual Literacy Month Celebration Luncheon. (By invitation only. Media is invited to attend and cover.)

A Film festival and discussion regarding the Literacy Crisis and its effect on families. The film “The Right to Read” is about a courageous activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. The documentary vividly puts a human face on the grim statistic that only a third of American fourth graders can read well enough to qualify as proficient on the 2022 NAEP exam, known as the nation’s report card. 

Neighborhood Cleanup and Reading Circle

Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful will host a Clean Streets Matter neighborhood cleanup in the community surrounding L.H. Williams Elementary School. In addition to the cleanup, the school will be open to host various multi-generational activities. Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful will also host reading circles of the book All the Way to the Ocean by Joel Harper. In addition to the book reading, a short film based on the book will be shown.

Professional Resume and Interview Workshop

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

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.

Community Forum

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

A Seat at The Literacy Table Project

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.

Career Fair

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.