On Monday, September 26, 2022, the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance (MLA) held its inaugural Literacy Month luncheon. It was hosted by the Bibb County School District at its Professional Learning Center. Some of guests in attendance included Mayor Lester Miller, Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims, Board of Education Members, County Commissioners, college & university representatives, and business and community leaders. 

“We are celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Month, as well as the launch of our work to again be a Certified Literate Community,” said Executive Director Jim Montgomery. “We are bringing together any person, group, or organization to improve literacy from our PreK students through our adult population because reading and literacy is at the very core of being successful.”  

“We must find ways each day to stress to people – both children and adults – how important it is for them to be able to read,” said Mayor Miller. “And each of us can do little things that have a big impact on people’s lives, such as reading to children through the Read United Program.” 

September was proclaimed Literacy Month by Mayor Miller with other leaders at a press conference earlier this month. (You can watch that entire announcement here.) Throughout the month, many groups have held literacy and outreach events to begin reaching people who may need support and assistance. This includes the Middle Georgia Regional Library, United Way of Central Georgia, Bibb County School District, Boys & Girls Club of Central Georgia, Central Georgia Technical College, WorkSource Middle Georgia, and more. 

“If there’s anything that’s paramount for us as a school system, not just for our students, but for Macon-Bibb County, it is that we create the most literate students as early as possible so that every single grade level counts all the way to the end of our journey together – that being 12th grade,” said Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims. 

The MLA will partner with all existing area schools, colleges and universities, community organizations, volunteer community leaders, students, and adult learners (public / private) to develop and implement a community plan for addressing literacy needs. They will each work to strategically raise community awareness and engagement by utilizing a focused agenda for improving literacy. 

Organizations interested in sponsoring literacy-related activities or having their planned events included on MLA’s Literacy Month calendar may reach out to the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance at maconbibbliteracyalliance@gmail.com.