Read to a Better Future
Children who struggle to read are subjected to harsh consequences including poverty, incarceration and failure to complete high school. Malcolm Mitchell grew up with similar challenges, but during his freshman year of college, a newly developed love of reading changed his trajectory. Initially, reading was a challenge; however, through his perseverance, books became an avenue for expanding his curiosity, creativity and learning. In this presentation, Mitchell focuses on the transformational power of reading through his personal story and literacy-based research. Central to his message is self-empowerment, cultural relevancy and reading as a super power.

Malcolm Mitchell
When former New England Patriot’s wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell entered the University of Georgia, he could only read at a junior high level – something he realized after attending his first English class and recognizing he wasn’t at the same literacy levels as his peers. But being the competitor he’s always been, Mitchell vowed to improve and joined a monthly book club. It changed his life. 

In 2015, Mitchell authored and published a children’s book, "The Magician’s Hat," and created a youth literacy initiative called Read with Malcolm. In 2016, he went on to establish a nonprofit organization, Share the Magic Foundation, with a sole purpose: to transform children’s lives through literacy. In May 2016, Mitchell was drafted by the New England Patriots, and in February 2017 he became a Super Bowl champion. Among Mitchell's numerous awards and accomplishments both on and off the field, he considers discovering a love of reading one of his greatest achievements. Retired from the NFL, Mitchell serves as CEO of his foundation, focusing his time on his organization’s overall growth, development and impact. 

Becoming A Catalyst For Change
Erin Gruwell helped 150 of her students, many of whom were written off by the education system, to use the power of education to write a book, graduate from high school and attend college. In her inspiring presentation, Gruwell tells the story of this extraordinary journey – from poverty and despair to hope and promise – with stops at Anne Frank's House and Auschwitz and then on to Capitol Hill and Congress. She challenged her students to overcome the seemingly insurmountable problems of poverty, racism and violence.  Encouraging tolerance, respect and cooperation, Gruwell teaches us all how we can become role models and catalysts for change.

Erin Gruwell
Erin Gruwell is a teacher, author and activist who has been fighting for social justice for more than two decades. Gruwell's students, affectionately called the Freedom Writers, came from backgrounds of poverty, gangs and violence, and many were at-risk of dropping out of school due to the school-to-prison-pipeline. But, under Gruwell's guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher education. 

In 1999, Erin and the Freedom Writers published their book, "The Freedom Writers Diary," which detailed their unique journey from hardship to hope. The book became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, "Freedom Writers," starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank. The film brought Gruwell's work to an even wider audience, and she has since used her platform to continue her fight for equity and inclusion with her nonprofit, the Freedom Writers Foundation.