Click here to purchase tickets »

The 27th Annual “Evening of Readings” Gala

Authors of current releases, Michael Connelly, Katie Couric, Whoopi Goldberg and Stacy Schiff, “The King’s Speech” Screenwriter David Seidler and Director Tom Hooper, and Honorees Leonard and Louise Riggio join forces for star-studded line-up at 27th Annual Gala

On May 16, at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center, Literacy Partners held its 27th Annual “Evening of Readings.” Thanks to the generous support of New York’s philanthropic and community leaders and headliners from the worlds of television, film, fashion, design and media, Literacy Partners raised substantial funds, meeting and exceeding its fundraising goals, to help fight adult illiteracy.

Barnes & Noble Founder Leonard Riggio and his wife, Louise Riggio, were honored for their philanthropy and longtime advocacy on behalf of literacy and the written word.

Chaired by celebrated New Yorkers Liz Smith, Arnold Scaasi, Parker Ladd and Jacqueline Weld Drake, this year’s event featured TV personalities and authors Whoopi Goldberg and Katie Couric, as well as bestselling authors Michael Connelly (author of City of Bones, Chasing the Dime, and The Lincoln Lawyer), and Stacy Schiff (Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction writer and author of the current bestseller Cleopatra: A Life). All read aloud from their most recent works.

Literacy Partners students Josh Berkonti and Niama Khanboubi joined the stars on stage, reading personal essays explaining the tremendous impact that the organization has had on their lives.

In addition, the 2011 Face of Literacy Award was presented to The King’s Speech for its inspiring and entertaining portrayal of King George VI and his quest, against seemingly insurmountable odds, to find his voice. Screenwriter David Seidler and Director Tom Hooper received the award on behalf of the Academy Award-winning movie.

Generous corporate underwriting support for the event was provided by Bloomberg L.P.

During the event, Liz Smith welcomed guests with a quote from the Dr. Seuss book I Can Read with My Eyes Shut: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

“This quote is as true today as it was 30 years ago,” she pointed out, adding, “I wish we didn’t need to have an organization like Literacy Partners…but we do. Almost a quarter of New Yorkers are functionally illiterate.”

Acknowledging the evening’s honors, Leonard Riggio said, “The Riggio Foundation attempts to redress the inequities in our civilization. We believe in aspiration, opportunity and social justice. What Literacy Partners does is even more important than the things that Louise and I have done. Thanks, all of you, for opening doors. Let’s all keep them open.”

The King’s Speech Academy Award-winning screenwriter David Seidler, who battled a stutter in the past, accepting the Face of Literacy Award remarked, “To change is a very courageous act — and I salute you, Literacy Partners students. I applaud you. You are my sisters and my brothers.” The Face of Literacy Award recognizes individuals who have used their talents in a significant way to bring awareness to the fact that adults, when challenged to find their personal power and voice in the world – with support and education – can have glorious results.

The Humanitarian Auction, conducted by Sotheby’s auctioneer Hugh Hildesley, rounded out the evening. Close to $100K was initially raised, with a generous matching award from honorees Leonard and Louise Riggio for a total of nearly $200K in funds from the auction alone.

Among gala attendees were: Yanna Avis, Barbara Taylor and Robert Bradford, Gina Centrello, Alina Cho, Lee and Vanessa Eastman, Joni Evans, Jane Friedman, Les and Kath Hinton, Mark Jackson, John Josephson, Mary Wells Lawrence, Iris Love, Carolyn Reidy, Jordan Roth and Richie Jackson, Jeff Sharp, Leslie Stahl, Adrienne Vittadini and Carolina Zapf.

Back to top »