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 Tao Downtown. The event — themed “Education: Cracking the Code to Future Success” — celebrated education as the key that opens the door to opportunity and featured interactive installations that immersed guests in the experience of learning to read. The evening brought the business, entertainment, and media industries together to raise transformational investments that will benefit 60,000 children facing education inequities through Room to Read’s programs.
In her remarks, Room to Read CEO Dr. Geetha Murali said, “In the vast labyrinth of life, millions of children, young detectives, are in the position of solving life’s mysteries without a crucial map – basic literacy and life skills – and without the ability to decipher their way through puzzling worlds, written and real. That’s where Room to Read comes in. This community has collectively helped nearly 40 million students across 24 countries not just open books, but open doors that have been shut to their families for generations.”
Room to Read recognized Financial Times CEO and Room to Read Emeritus Board Chair John Ridding and actress Demi Singleton as honorees for their ongoing support of education equality. Ridding was presented with Room to Read's Champion Award for his leadership on Room to Read boards and long-term support for literacy and gender equality. Alongside his 17 years as a Room to Read emeritus and global board member, Ridding is widely recognized as a global advocate for progress in education.
Singleton, a SAG and NAACP award-nominated actress, accepted Room to Read’s Changemaker Award for her empowering example to girls everywhere, including her commitment to elevating the stories of diverse authors and characters through her Black Girls Covers book club. Alongside her recognition, Singleton became Room to Read’s newest global ambassador.
Headliner Ludacris, whose initiatives KidNation and KARMA’S WORLD promote children’s wellbeing and girls' empowerment through educational and inspirational media content, closed the event with a performance sponsored by Room to Read partner Humanitix, a nonprofit ticketing platform that believes in tickets for good, not greed, and dedicates 100% of their profits from booking fees to charity partners.
The event was hosted by Room to Read’s North America Regional Board and members of Room to Read’s 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 to Room to Read’s new Haitian Kreyol children’s book collection; and James Humpherson, North America General Manager of Humanitix.
Red carpet and event photos are available here.
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 through education. 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 life 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 39 million children and has worked in 24 countries and in 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.
