A VIRTUAL EVENT RECAP
Raise a Glass for Reading!
After a season of showcasing the unique stories of the teachers we serve and emphasizing the importance and impact of continued support for our teachers, schools, and larger communities, we came together to celebrate literacy!
On Thursday, June 10, Children's Literacy Initiative hosted its annual fundraiser, Raise a Glass for Reading. This year's Raise a Glass for Reading was unlike any other CLI event, as we transitioned to a fully virtual event! See some of the very special moments from Raise a Glass for Reading below.
A Fireside Chat w/Vashti Harrison
New York Times best-selling creator, artist, and illustrator, Vashti Harrison, joined us for a fireside chat, sharing insights from her professional journey, her creative inspiration, and her deep passion for black and brown children.
CLI BOOK COLLECTIONS
Identity Affirming Picture Books
Download a copy of CLI's Identity Affirming book list today! These incredible pictures books tell a wide range of stories, showcasing a diverse array of authors and characters. Encourage your readers to ask questions as they learn more about themselves and the people around them.
WELCOME & THANK YOUS
Greetings from CLI Leadership
CLI leadership joined our celebration to remind us why we all were gathered together. for the evening’s event. We know that access to quality literacy instruction is transformative, both in the arc of an individual’s life, and the strength that builds within our communities.
Joel Zarrow
CLI Chief Executive Officer
Naimah Bilal
CLI Chief Development Officer
Sandra LaFleur
CLI Board Chair
CELEBRATING OUR TEACHERS
Meet our Teacher Honorees
During Raise a Glass for Reading we featured coaches and teachers from across our regions - Broward County, FL; Chicago; New Jersey; and Philadelphia. These four honorees provide us a glimpse into the amazing work many educators are doing across the country.
Click below to learn more about each teacher and see our thank you tribute for all the work they have done this year!
Musical Guest, the Smooth Show
Raise a Glass for Reading attendees were treated to three amazing performances from jazz quartet, the Smooth Show.
CELEBRATING TEACHERS ON THE FRONTLINE
A Special Thank You to all Teachers
Our teachers are HEROES! And they deserve to be celebrated! To celebrate our teachers, we closed our Raise a Glass for Reading event with a special video recognizing teachers working on the frontlines!
Our Supporters
Thank you to all our sponsors and partners who support our mission!
Planning and Host Committee
Lauren Alperstein
Naimah Bilal
Simone Champagnie
John Croll
Evan Goldman
Heather Gray
Justin Hudson
Jordanne Owen
Claire Parker
Janet Pinkerton
Priscilla Williams
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