President Richard E. Ashby
LiteracyNation Inc.
06/27/2023
Dear Andrea Jamison, Karen Gianni, Gladys Smiley Bell, Falena Hand, Nichelle N. Hayes, Danielle Borasky, Susan Maguire, Brenda Johnson Perkins, Andrew Jackson, Brother Jerry Craft, Tracie Hall, and the entire American Library Association community.
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. On behalf of LiteracyNation Inc., I would like to extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your incredible support, generous donations, and unwavering encouragement in organizing and executing our recent "Right to Read-A-Thon" event.
Andrea Jamison, your dedication and tireless efforts as Chair of the Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table have been instrumental in bringing diverse voices and perspectives to the forefront of our literary landscape. Your commitment to inclusivity is truly inspiring.
Karen Gianni, your involvement as a representative of the American Library Association has made a significant impact on our event. Your support and guidance have helped us navigate through challenges and ensure the success of the "Right to Read-A-Thon."
Gladys Smiley Bell, as a member of the Coretta Scott King Round Table and Joint Council Librarians of Color, your presence has been invaluable. Your passion for promoting literature that celebrates African American culture and history has resonated with participants and helped us create a vibrant and inclusive event.
Falena Hand, your dedication as President of the Pennsylvania Black Librarians Caucus has been truly commendable. Your commitment to fostering literacy and providing opportunities for marginalized communities to access books is truly admirable.
NeChelle N. Hayes, as Vice President of the Black Caucus American Library Association, your leadership and support have been instrumental in making our "Right to Read-A-Thon" a resounding success. Your commitment to advocating for literacy and empowering Black voices has been truly inspiring.
Danielle Borasky and the incredible team from Novelist, we are incredibly grateful for your support and assistance. Your expertise in curating diverse reading materials and sharing them with our participants has been invaluable. You have played a vital role in expanding the literary horizons of so many.
Susan Maguire, your unwavering support as a representative of the American Library Association has been truly remarkable. Your commitment to promoting literacy and providing access to information for all is commendable. We are deeply grateful for your guidance and encouragement.
Brenda Johnson Perkins, your contribution as a representative of the Baltimore County Library has been outstanding. Your dedication to fostering a love for reading within your community has made a significant impact on our event's success. Your presence has been invaluable.
Andrew Jackson, your involvement as a member of the Black Caucus American Library Association has been highly appreciated. Your commitment to promoting literacy and empowering Black voices has been inspiring to all.
Brother Jerry Craft, we extend a special thanks to you and your publisher, HarperCollins, for your constant encouragement and steadfast support. Your remarkable work as an author and illustrator has touched the hearts and minds of readers, young and old alike. Your participation in our event has been truly memorable.
Tracie Hall, as the Executive Director, your unwavering support and guidance have been invaluable to us. Your commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the literary world has been a beacon of hope for us all. Your dedication to the cause is truly commendable.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to OverDrive for lending us two tablets loaded with banned books for participants to read from. Your commitment to supporting the freedom to read is deeply appreciated.
Together, you have all realized the importance of exercising the right and freedom to read. Your collective efforts and participation in the "
Right to Read-A-Thon" have left an indelible mark on our organization and the participants. Through your amazing readings and sharing of inspiring passages and books, you have encouraged countless individuals to embrace the joy of reading.
Your support, generosity, and encouragement have been invaluable to us, and we cannot thank you enough for making our event a resounding success. We are already looking forward to next year's "Right to Read-A-Thon," where we hope to involve more organizations and roundtables of the American Library Association. Together, we can continue to promote literacy, diversity, and inclusivity, ensuring that the joy of reading reaches every corner of our society.
With deepest gratitude and warm regards,
Richard E. Ashby
President, LiteracyNation Inc.