NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Room to Read, a global education nonprofit creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, held its annual New York Gala last night at Gotham Hall. The evening, under the theme “A Celebration of Changemakers,” brought the business, entertainment and media industries together to raise transformational investments which will benefit 48,000 children facing education inequities through Room to Read’s programs that support literacy and girls’ education.
In her keynote remarks, Dr. Geetha Murali, Room to Read CEO said, “Room to Read targets the root cause of many world challenges. By investing in Room to Read, you are putting capital behind solutions for poverty, climate change, conflict, and disease. More educated children mean more problem solvers. What better investment could there possibly be?”
Room to Read recognized Peter T. Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg, and Freida Pinto, actress, producer and activist, as honorees for their ongoing support of education equality. Artist and activist DJ Switch Ghana performed for guests alongside The Richie Cannata Band featuring Bernie Williams.
Grauer was presented with the Changemaker Award for his contributions to advancing gender equality and literacy outcomes across the globe. In addition to his many years as a Room to Read Emeritus and Global Board member, Grauer is widely recognized as a leading global champion of promoting gender diversity and growing the representation of women leaders in the business world.
Of his commitment to education, Grauer said, “This work to reduce gender inequality in finance or on TV or in any part of our society would not be possible if young girls around the world did not have the critical element of a strong educational foundation. Thanks to Room to Read, this is becoming a reality for more girls from underrepresented groups around the world.”
In celebration of the next generation of changemakers – including the children, educators, caregivers and community members supporting education and its power to change the world – the evening showcased She Creates Change, the first nonprofit-led animation and live action film project to promote gender equality through the stories of young women around the world. Through the multi-media initiative, Room to Read boldly aims to reach all 432 million adolescent girls (ages 12-18) in the world with content and educational curriculum that supports them in creating change in their lives and communities.
Pinto, executive producer of She Creates Change and BAFTA-nominated actress, accepted the Changemaker Award for her work promoting gender equality. A longtime advocate of girls’ education, Pinto has used the power of storytelling to change the way the world values girls and their education.
“The path to a gender-equal world is being paved by Room to Read. Through its programs and ground-breaking content including She Creates Change, Room to Read demonstrates exactly what can -- and does -- happen when young women are supported to learn and imagine their own futures. She Creates Change is a poignant call to action for us all to increase our investment in girls’ education,” said Pinto.
The event was hosted by Room to Read’s North America Regional Board and members of Room to Read’s Global Board of Directors were also in attendance. Speakers included Martha Adams, Emmy-winning series director and producer for She Creates Change; Samantha Barry, Glamour Editor-in-Chief; Sara Eisen, co-anchor of CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street;” Scott Kapnick, CEO of HPS Investment Partners, LLC; Pushkar Shrestha, Room to Read Nepal Country Director; and recognized authors Nandana Dev Sen and Mohsin Zaidi.
Red carpet and event photos are available https://dam.gettyimages.com/assignments/room-to-read-2023-new-york-gala.
About Room to Read
Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We are achieving this goal by helping children in historically low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and by supporting girls as they build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions. We collaborate with governments and other partner organizations to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. Room to Read has benefited more than 32 million children and has worked in 21 countries and in more than 49,000 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
