Room to Read Gala in New York Benefits 60,000 Children with Honorees John Ridding and Demi Singleton, Ludacris Performance Sponsored by Humanitix

NEW YORK, May 10, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Room to Read, a global educational nonprofit that creates a world free of illiteracy and gender inequality, held its annual gala last night in New York City, Center- Tao city. The event, themed “Education: Cracking the Code to Future Success,” celebrated education as the key that unlocks the door to opportunity and featured interactive installations that immersed guests in the experience of ‘Learning to read. The evening brought together the business, entertainment and media sectors to raise transformational investments that will benefit 60,000 children facing educational inequities through Room to Read’s programs.

In her remarks, Room to Read CEO Dr. Geetha Murali said, “In the vast maze of life, millions of children, young detectives, are able to solve the mysteries of life without a crucial map – literacy and basic skills – and without the ability to decipher confusing worlds, written and real. This is where Room to Read comes in. This community has collectively helped nearly 40 million students in 24 countries not only open books, but also open doors that have been long-closed to their families. generations.”

Room to Read recognized John Ridding, CEO of the Financial Times and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of Room to Read, as well as actress Demi Singleton, for their continued support of educational equality. Ridding received the Room to Read Champion Award for her leadership on Room to Read boards and long-term support for literacy and gender equality. Alongside his 17 years as a Room to Read Distinguished Fellow and Global Board Member, Ridding is widely recognized as a global advocate for educational progress.

Singleton, a SAG and NAACP Award-nominated actress, accepted Room to Read’s Changemaker Award for her example of empowerment for girls everywhere, including her commitment to elevating the stories of diverse authors and characters through her Black Girls Covers book club. Along with her recognition, Singleton became Room to Read’s new global ambassador.

Headliner Ludacris, whose KidNation and KARMA’S WORLD initiatives promote child well-being and girls’ empowerment through educational and inspirational media content, closed the event with a performance sponsored by Humanitix, partner of Room to Read, a non-profit ticketing platform that believes in tickets for good, not greed. , and dedicates 100% of its profits from booking fees to charitable partners.

The event was hosted by the Room to Read Regional Board of Directors for North America and members of the Room to Read Global Board of Directors who were also in attendance. Speakers included Sonny Kalsi, co-CEO of BentallGreenOak; Scott Kapnick, CEO of HPS Investment Partners, LLC; Tico Armand, contributing author of Room to Read’s new Haitian Kreyol children’s book collection; and James Humpherson, general manager of Hunitix for North America.

Photos from the red carpet and the event are available here.

About Space to read

Founded in 2000 on the belief that global change starts with educating children®, Room to Read creates a world free of illiteracy and gender inequality through education. We achieve this goal by helping children in historically low-income communities develop literacy skills and the habit of reading, and by helping girls learn essential skills for succeeding in school and negotiating life decisions keys. We work with governments and other partner organizations to achieve positive outcomes for children at scale. Room to Read has benefited more than 39 million children and operated in 24 countries and more than 192,000 communities, providing additional support through remote solutions that facilitate learning beyond the classroom . Room to Read aims to benefit 40 million children by 2025. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

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Contacts

Anna Seeley
Space to read
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+1 (925) 304-3393