Georgia Reads, an initiative of the Georgia Council on Literacy aimed at raising awareness about the need to improve reading skills in all age groups, announces the launch of its new website.  Concurrently, Georgia Reads introduces three key partners actively contributing to improving statewide literacy: the Share the Magic Foundation, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA)/Georgia City Solutions, and the Get Georgia Reading Campaign.

Malcolm Mitchell, CEO & Founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, also serves as the Georgia Reads Coach. “Since its inception 2016, the Share the Magic Foundation has been dedicated to transforming children’s lives through literacy,” says Mitchell, who is also a public speaker, author and Super Bowl Champion. “As a lifelong Georgia resident, it’s an honor to partner with Georgia Reads to amplify my Foundation’s mission in my home state and extend its impact across all age groups. Having personally struggled with reading as a child, this cause is near and dear to my heart, and I look forward to serving as a passionate advocate for Georgia Reads and its vital work.”

Georgia Reads will include several events and initiatives including Georgia Reads Community Awards, READBowl, and Georgia Reads Day. READBowl 2025 is Share the Magic Foundation’s eighth annual national reading competition, to be held from January 13 (the week before the CFP National Championship) through February 7. Mitchell will crown the “World Champions of Reading” on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9. Additionally, the Georgia READBowl Champions, elementary, middle and high school, will be recognized at the Georgia State Capitol.  READBowl is free and open to any K-12 team of students. 

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to all 536 cities in Georgia.

With a strong focus on improving literacy and reducing intergenerational poverty, Georgia City Solutions, a GMA foundation, has been actively implementing literacy programs around the state.  

“Our partnership with Georgia Reads aims to create a comprehensive statewide model that ensures every Georgian has the opportunity to read, learn, and succeed,” said Larry Hanson, CEO & Executive Director of GMA. “We are committed to improving literacy outcomes not only for every student in every school across our state but also for every adult. We take pride in being part of this collaborative and transformative effort to enhance literacy throughout Georgia.”

The Get Georgia Reading Campaign was formed to boost a powerful predictor of high school graduation rates and overall quality of life—third grade reading proficiency. Children who can’t read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school compared to those who can. As adults, they’re more likely to struggle with unemployment, mental health, and life. This is why, in 2013, K-12 education joined together with early learning, postsecondary, health, civic and nonprofit groups, elected officials, and others to craft a framework for collective action—the four pillars: Language Nutrition, Access, Positive Learning Climate, and Teacher Preparation and Effectiveness.

“The four pillars provide a shared language, shared understanding, and shared sense of urgency,” said Arianne Weldon, Get Georgia Reading Campaign Director at Georgia Family Connection Partnership. “Implementing multi-generational approaches that support family literacy, integrating language as a well-being indicator into education and health care practices, and tackling health barriers to learning are just a few examples of partners using the four pillars to drive action. Partnering with the Georgia Council on Literacy’s Georgia Reads initiative will expand collective action to increase reading skills in all age groups and dramatically improve literacy outcomes throughout Georgia.” 

Georgia Reads will include several events and initiatives including Georgia Reads Community Awards, READBowl, and Georgia Reads Day. To enhance and amplify these efforts, Georgia Reads is seeking additional partnerships from government, businesses, municipalities, faith-based organizations and non-profits. 

The new website includes resources for educators, families, communities and other stakeholders and includes information on ways to get involved with Georgia Reads. Visit www.GeorgiaReads.org.