An Artistic Twist to Learning: Artist Shelia Pree Bright Talks to LAI Students

Shelia Pree Bright

On Tuesday September 20, 2011, Literacy Action was honored to welcome Shelia Pree Bright, a professional fine arts photographer from Atlanta.

Ms. Bright's works include Suburbia, Plastic Bodies, Young Americans and In High Def. She has also been featured in many museums, including Atlanta's own High Museum of Art.

Speaking in front of a crowded room of students, staff, instructors and volunteers, Ms. Bright discussed what led her to become a photographer, the inspiration behind her work and the social misperceptions of different races and ages that her work strives to disprove.
Following a brief powerpoint highlighting her work, Ms. Bright opened the floor to questions which sparked a lively discussion amongst students. Students offered their opinion on many topics such as; what is considered beauty within society, how we, as a community, can promote positive and realistic images of beauty and the effects of negative stereotypes and percepections of different cultures.

LAI President & CEO, Karen Webster Parks (Left), Shelia Pree Bright (Center)

Literacy Action prides itself on providing classes and opportunities to its students that inspire them and promote change within their lives and community.  Guest speakers bring with them different perceptions and experiences that provide students an opportunity to engage in open conversation where they are encouraged to express their opinion and insights regarding social topics and many more.

Special Thank You

Shelia Pree Bright

To learn more about Shelia Pree Bright and her work, visit http://sheilapreebright.com/

The Millennials Are Here: Literacy Actions Kicks Off New Young Adult Advocacy Group.

On Thursday September 22, 2011, Literacy Action kicked off its new young adult advocacy group, YELL,Young Empowered Leading Literacy.


Hosted at the Square Pub in Decatur, guests were welcomed by LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks, and staff. Food and drinks were provided and guests had an opportunity to win a one night stay at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and a Kindle. LAI Board Member, Peter Stewart, addressed guests and offered more information regarding the creation and the importance of YELL.

LAI Board Member, Peter Stewart (Right) with guests

The atmosphere was energetic as guests mingled with each other and LAI staff. Guests took no time in asking in depth questions about the demographic of LAI students, what Literacy Action is doing to fight adult low-literacy and how they can get involved and take action.

YELL's is comprised of supporters ages 21-35 and its mission is to bolster the issue of adult low literacy within the Metro Atlanta community.

Working through Literacy Action, YELL hopes to involve young adults in adult literacy and eradicate the intergenerational cycle of low-literacy by utilizing their ideas, voices and talents.


To find out more information about YELL visit our website at http://www.literacyaction.org/page/yell.

Special Thank you

Square Pub

115 Sycamore Street
Decatur, GA 30030

Onward and Upward: Literacy Action Board of Trustees Hold Annual Board Retreat.

On Thursday September 15, 2011, Literacy Action's Board of Trustees met to participate in their annual all day board retreat. Hosted at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Board members began arriving at 8:30AM eager to begin working. The retreat, facilitated by Danielle Rutland of the Southern Company, allowed board members to reflect on the previous year, re-examine the organization and present ideas and goals for the next three years.

LAI's Board of Trustees are dedicated to ensuring that the organization continues to provide excellent services to all the students at LAI. It is imparitive that they continue to stay abreast on the status of the organization and discuss how LAI can continue to provide classes to assist the more than 800,000 low-literate adults in Metro Atlanta.  Board members left the retreat with new ideas and goals for LAI as it continues to move forward.





LAI is lucky to have such a great board who is committed to the work of the organization and the success of our students!


"We are truly doing God's work."
-Chris Miller, Vice Chair

Special Thank You to:

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Danielle Rutland-Southern Company

Denise James-Southern Company

It Is So Hard to Say Goodbye: LAI Instructor Bids Farewell To LAI And Reflects On Her Time With The Organization.

Well of course this isn't the first Monday I haven't been to LAI, but it is definitely different.  I was not sad until I walked into the doors here at work last Wednesday.  It hit me that nothing I ever do will fill me with the joy that LAI has.  That made me sad.  Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful and blessed to have a good job.  It pays well, but it lacks on the fulfilling meter.  There were times I was leaving LAI when I had to stop myself from doing the running man and the cabbage patch on the way to my car.  I felt that good.

Back in 2010, it was important for me to find an outlet to actually use my graduate degree, as I was not going to be positioned to get to do so in my full time work.  I sought out part time opportunities.  I had a major disappointment a few months before my interview with LAI. I actually cried because I really wanted that job.  I thought it was perfect.  Looking back now, I am so grateful and blessed that the other opportunity did not work out.  That would have just been a part time job, and it would not have made an impact in my life the way LAI has. 

The other day, a student asked if I made the sandwiches that I brought in on the last day.  I gave her a look as to say, now you know good and well I don't cook.  She said, "You tell us that we can do whatever we set our minds to, so I know that you can if you want to."  Now how is that for a natural high?

I want to just thank you all for everything.  What you do is really important, because it impacts peoples lives in a positive way.  Even when you have a bad day, when you get home and take off your shoes, you know that at some point in the day you did something for someone else that really has meaning. If you think about it, the number of people that can say that at the end of the day is getting smaller and smaller.

I expect to return to LAI.  I am not quite sure when at this very moment, but I have a feeling things will work out so that I can. 

So it really isn't a goodbye, just so long for a minute. 

Miss y'all already--
Lisa Conely, Former LAI Reading 4 Instructor

Sent Monday August 22, 2011

(Left to Right) Lisa Conley with LAI Student

Community Matters: Literacy Action Meets with the Chairman of Fulton County Board of Commissioners

On August 18, 2011, Literacy Action met with Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman, John Eaves, in an effort to continue the community discussion on eradicating adult low-literacy.

LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks, and Chairman John Eaves.

LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks and LAI Board Members, David Peterson (chair), Chris Miller and JaKathryn Ross, sat down with Chairman Eaves and Director of Constituent Services, Aaron Johnson, to discuss the astonishing number of low-literate Atlantans, how these numbers impact the community and what Literacy Action is doing to end the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy.

Director of Constituent Services, Aaron Johnson, and LAI Board Member, Chris Miller.

With more than 800,000 adults in metro Atlanta considered functionally illiterate, this issue is heavily connected to many social ills that plague not only our city, but nation as a whole. Issues such as unemployment, poverty and crime would be far less detrimental with an educated population.

LAI Board Member, JaKathryn Ross and LAI Board Chair, Dave Peterson.

 Literacy Action is confident that by educating the public on this issue, we as a community will not only be able to change the lives of low-literate adults, but make a dramatic impact on generations to come.

Join us in making the change today!

Chris Miller, Karen Webster Parks, Dave Peterson, Chairman John Eaves, JaKathryn Ross, Aaron Johnson

Literacy Action Makes The Connection: Our Recent Visit With the President of Central Atlanta Progress.

         

Earlier this spring Literacy Action had the opportunity to meet with First Lady Sandra Deal, to discuss adult literacy and its profound effects within Atlanta and Georgia. In an effort to continue to bring awareness about adult literacy, Literacy Action is on a campaign to meet with community leaders and future partners. Our goal is to educate and advocate to stop the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy.

On July 27, 2011, LAI President and CEO, Karen Webster Parks, accompanied by LAI Board Members David Lowance and Leon Trum, met with Central Atlanta Progress President, A.J. Robinson.  The focus of the discussion was tailored to the history of the 42 year old organization, the work that has been done, the goals moving forward, and the growing epidemic within Metro Atlanta.

Adult low literacy is a serious issue that not only affects the students we serve daily, but the community as a whole.  Through our outreach we envision a community in which all Atlantans have the basic skills they need to better their lives and the lives of those around them.

Big Things Are Happening: Literacy Action Welcomes Five New Board Members.

Last Thursday, July 14, 2011, Literacy Action welcomed five new members to our Board of Trustees. 

While all new members officially began their term July 1, orientation allows for our new advocates to receive more in depth information about the organization, how we serve our 700 plus students and how they can make an impact during their 3 year term on the board. 

New Board Members during orientation. Left to Right: Lee Morris, Melanee Haywood, Sue Morgan, Angela Dirr and Peter Stewart.

Each board member brings with them a plethora of expertise that will be beneficial to the organization as we continue to move forward.We are excited to have these eager members join Literacy Action.

Great things are on the horizon and we cannot wait!

New board members tour LAI with Paige Pushkin, Director of Operations.

  

Meet Our New Board Members

ANGELA DIRR

 Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

MELANEE HAYWOOD 

 Managing Director, Information Technology for Delta Air Lines, Inc.

SUSAN MORGAN 

LEE E. MORRIS 

General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer for Stevens & Wilkinson.  

PETER STEWART 

Senior Business Development Associate with BNY Mellon Wealth Management.