By Jim Montgomery – More than 158 people, representing 53 families with children in grades K–10, gathered on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, for the Celebrate Reading, Celebrate Family event hosted by the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance (MBMLA). MBMLA is proud to partner with the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) as one of its designated Family Learning Communities, working together to strengthen literacy and family engagement across Macon-Bibb County.  The celebration took place at the Bibb County Professional Learning Center, bringing together families, school district leaders, community partners, and local officials in a powerful show of support for literacy and family engagement.

The event was honored by the attendance of Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller and featured special greetings from Dr. Dan Sims, Superintendent of the Bibb County School District. Also in attendance was Carla Debose, Executive Director of Georgia’s Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP). Their participation underscored the collective commitment of local and state leadership to strengthening literacy across the community.

The Celebrate Reading, Celebrate Family event was designed to celebrate Family Literacy Month and highlight the vital role families play in building children’s reading skills. The evening emphasized the importance of Parent and Children Together (PACT) time, activities that encourage families to read, learn, and communicate together in meaningful ways.

During the program, families took part in interactive literacy activities including a lively round of Family Scattergories, promoting teamwork and vocabulary building, table discussions on creating reading routines at home, and guidance on fostering a culture of literacy within the family.

The keynote facilitator for the evening was Dr. Natalie Ball Myricks, author of Neiron Is Just Like Me. Dr. Myricks shared her personal journey as a writer, a heartfelt introduction to Neiron’s story, a video featuring Neiron discussing the obstacles he overcame on his path to the NFL, and encouragement for families to create shared reading goals at home.

Every family present was provided with a signed copy of Neiron Is Just Like Me. Families were also given the opportunity to take photos with Dr. Myricks, adding a special keepsake to the night’s celebration.

Families provided feedback reflecting overwhelmingly positive responses. 96% of families strongly agreed that the event’s goals were clear and that the presenter was knowledgeable and inspiring. Participants shared glowing comments, including:

“Hearing the story of Neiron’s life was inspiring.”

“Very awesome event!”

“Introducing new strategies to help students get more involved in reading at home was great.”

“The author was inspirational and delivered a powerful message.”

“I am just floating; it was so good!”

The event was the result of strong collaboration between MBMLA and the Bibb County School District. Staff from the Office of District Effectiveness and Federal Programs and the Family Engagement Department played an instrumental role in reaching out to families across the district. Every school was invited, and participation was encouraged at all grade levels.

A friendly competition added excitement. The school with the most families in attendance received a special recognition award, which was proudly earned by Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School.

Local media attended the event, capturing interviews, activities, and family engagement throughout the evening. Coverage highlighted the community’s united efforts to promote literacy and support families.

Jim Montgomery, Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance, expressed pride in the event’s success.

“This celebration showed what is possible when families, schools, and community partners come together around reading. The energy in the room was inspiring, and we hope it encourages families to continue enjoying books and shared learning experiences at home. Literacy is a gift we give our children, and events like this help strengthen that foundation across Macon-Bibb County.”

The Celebrate Reading, Celebrate Family event reinforced the power of community partnerships, family engagement, and literacy-centered activities. With continued collaboration and support, MBMLA remains committed to helping families across Macon-Bibb build strong reading habits, deeper connections, and brighter futures.