Leaders for Literacy

Unacceptable!!  That is how Leadership Oakland is responding to national reports that as many as 47% of adults in Detroit are functionally illiterate.  Unbelievable! That is how Leadership Oakland is responding to Oakland County’s illiteracy rate of 10%. When we consider the impact these dismal figures suggest for the future health of our businesses and communities, it is beyond comprehension that we will ever emerge a stronger region and state if don’t take action.  

For several years, Leadership Oakland has conducted a book drive in honor of Neal Shine to put new children’s books in the homes of underprivileged children.  Now we are stepping up our efforts to break this cycle and banish illiteracy.  This is not someone else’s problem. The impact belongs to all of us and the solution must belong to all of us.  Hoping for the best is not good enough.  Do something.

What can you do?  Following are a few suggestions with links provided to make it easy for you to get involved today.  

1. Talk about the problems associated with illiteracy at every opportunity.  Have a passion for helping erase the social and business devastation that illiteracy can have on individuals and our communities.  Leadership Oakland has hundreds of bookmarks available for distribution to help bring this topic to your family, social networks, place of worship and workplace.  All you need to do is ask This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2. Collect books for the Leadership Oakland Book Drive. Help kids learn to love books from newborn on.  Think about it.  If the adults in the house don’t read, why would they provide kids with this precious gift? It seems like a no-brainer to those of us who can read, yet anything printed is a threat to non-readers.  Our partnership with Oakland Schools will ensure they are distributed to those in most need.

3. Volunteer to tutor kids in need of reading help.  Let’s do what we can to get kids up to grade level. Call your local school district to and ask how you can get involved.  

4. Volunteer to tutor an adult wishing to improve their reading skills and become an independent learner.  I can tell you from experience; it is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities you could ever hope to find. I would be happy to tell you about it (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Contact the Oakland Literacy Council to volunteer and get training to become a tutor.

5. Call your local library and ask how you can help. Libraries are looking for everything from people to read stories to book donations and a host of other opportunities.