Mayor Baraka Launches Newark Literacy Event for March 17

In a major push to elevate student achievement, Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Chief Education Officer Dr. Sharnee Brown are convening a diverse coalition of stakeholders next week to tackle the city’s literacy challenges.

The #Newark Reads Literacy Coalition Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert Treat Hotel on 50 Park Place, Newark. The event aims to move beyond discussion, bringing together students, educators, business leaders, and government officials to create a “literacy blueprint” for the city’s youth.

The symposium is designed as a collaborative workspace. Attendees will participate in workshops and strategy sessions aimed at identifying evidence-based methods to improve reading and writing skills across all grade levels.

The guest list features a mix of policy experts and cultural icons, including Dupré Kelly, West Ward Council Member and children’s book author; Naturi Naughton-Lewis, award-winning actress and producer; Mia X, Newark’s Poet Laureate; and more.

The city is also using the event to launch immediate resources for residents. A new partnership between the Greenlight Fund, Reading Partners, and the City of Newark will provide free virtual tutoring for 200 local families through a giveaway program.

Additionally, early childhood educators attending the event may be selected for pilot programs, such as the Three Cheers for PreK curriculum, which provides specialized instructional tools to preschool classrooms at no cost.