Jacksonville — As we celebrate March as National Reading Month, WOKV acknowledges Dr. Jennifer Blalock, the driving force behind Literacy Pros of Jacksonville, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and teens through the power of literacy.
Sporting a doctorate in Organizational and Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University; a Master’s in Adult Education from the University of Southern Mississippi; and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercyhurst University, Blalock uses reading as a platform for success.
“Reading inspires us to achieve,” she says. “To become what we dream of because we have read of the possibilities to do so.”
This year, Literacy Pros of Jacksonville initiated a youth literacy campaign entitled #YREAD, to encourage teens to read by featuring local student leaders on billboards who love to do so.
Using the letter y as a play on the word youth, the campaign chose Duval County youth athletes, school leaders, dancers, cheerleaders, band members, and service members to be featured on billboards displayed throughout Jacksonville to celebrate inspire others to, well, read. Community youth leaders were identified through programs such as the mayor’s youth at work program; the mayor’s young leaders advisory council and the youth advisory leadership council.
Youth leaders also share their love for reading and how reading has changed their lives on social media. According to Blalock, the premise of the hashtag #Y Read campaign is simple; teens encourage other teens to read because it’s cool. And of course, reading will changes lives for the better. Teens are also encouraged to post photos of their favorite books on social media with the #YREAD.
The static billboards are located on 95 South and the Golfair Boulevard exit and the digital boards, provided by Clear Channel, are dispersed throughout Duval County.
Noted as their most important resource, volunteers are needed to read to children, organize events, outreach and fund raise to keep universal literacy within the community.
Click below to listen to Lucia Viti’s complete podcast interview with Dr. Blalock.
https://od-cmg.streamguys1.com/jacksonville-market/20220317120214-LVNationalReadingMonth.mp3
So we conclude with the words of Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you go!”
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back, relax, all you need is a book.”
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