The Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance (MBMLA) is proud to celebrate its 5th annual Adult Education and Family Literacy Week from September 14–18, 2026, with a week-long series of activities demonstrating the power of literacy to empower individuals, strengthen families, and transform communities.
Under this year’s theme, “Literacy Is Golden,” MBMLA will join community partners, educators, businesses, families, and students in highlighting literacy in many of its forms, including early literacy, family literacy, environmental literacy, and workforce readiness.
“Literacy gives individuals the tools to make informed decisions, helps parents support their children, prepares people for the workforce, strengthens our schools, and builds stronger communities,” says Jim Montgomery, Executive Director of the MBMLA. “Throughout the week, our activities demonstrated that literacy extends far beyond reading and writing; it encompasses the skills and opportunities individuals and families need to thrive.”
The celebrations began Monday with Environmental Literacy: Read. Learn. Act. at Ingram-Pye Elementary School with students connecting literacy to environmental responsibility through storytelling, interactive discussions, and environmental coloring activities. Students were able to learn simple ways to care for their surroundings and were encouraged to make a personal commitment to keeping their schools, neighborhoods, and community clean and beautiful.
On Tuesday, two community events were designed to bring attention to the importance of the issue and thank the community for its support, and to directly engage families in literacy activities. At a luncheon, individuals and organizations whose contributions have helped advance literacy throughout Macon-Bibb County were recognized with awards and a Mayoral Proclamation. It also was a chance to reflect on MBMLA’s growth, recognize founding partners, and celebrate its collaborative spirit.
That evening, nearly 20 families came together for A Night with Dr. Natalie Ball Myricks, giving them a chance to learn practical strategies for supporting literacy at home. It even reinforced to them the important role they play in helping children become confident readers and lifelong learners.
Special visitors at multiple schools on Wednesday and Thursday gave students a unique opportunity to hear from Miss Georgia 2026 Sophia Wootten and Miss Georgia’s Teen 2026 Melony Tidmore as they talked with them about education, goal setting, leadership, and community involvement.
The next day, more than 2,500 books were handed out to 3rd-5thgrade students in eight schools.
“This was more than just a book distribution,” says Montgomery. “It was a great way to encourage the joy of reading, promote personal book ownership, and help foster lifelong literacy habits.”
Working with Central Georgia Technical College, the MBMLA offered a job-readiness workshop to stress that literacy is a pathway to economic opportunity. During the session, participants received practical assistance with resume development, job applications, and interview preparation.
“We saw literacy in action throughout the week,” Montgomery said. “We saw children excited about receiving books and inspired by the people they met. We saw families learning together, and we saw adults gaining practical tools that can help create new opportunities for their futures. That is what this week was intended to accomplish.”
MBMLA extends its appreciation to the organizations and community partners supporting this year’s celebration, including Cox Communications, YKK, Huntington Bank, the Bibb County School District and its Family Engagement Program, Central Georgia Technical College, the Griffith Family Foundation, and other partners whose collaboration helps advance literacy throughout the community.