SALISBURY — The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP, in partnership with Rowan County Literacy Council and Catawba College Center for the Environment, hosted a screening of the documentary “Right to Read” at Catawba College on Sept. 23.

The event aimed to create a discussion on the crucial role of literacy as a civil right and presented local solutions to address this pressing issue.

“The NAACP continues to be a strong advocate for literacy as a civil right, which was highlighted in the documentary,” said Gemale A. Black, president of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP. “Tonight, we had the opportunity to bring partner organizations together to raise awareness of the literacy crisis and share solutions we can all take to improve literacy in our county. We are committed to creating partnerships inside and outside the classroom and through youth-driven initiatives like our Color of Change to work with children and youth to ensure equitable access to literacy for all.”

The night’s theme centered around “Literacy is a gateway to freedom,” which was shared throughout the event and echoed by the panelists. The panel included Toni Cook-Smith, director of Brighter Minds Academy; Christina Rary, director of the Rowan County Literacy Council; Alissa Redmond, owner of South Main Bookstore; Brittany Saunders, Beginning Teacher Coach for Rowan-Salisbury Schools; and Romar Morris, co-founder and director of Next Generation Academy.

The discussion was moderated by Kaisha Brown, who reminded everyone that we can all play a part in this vital movement toward literacy. The panelists shared their insights on what the right to read means within their respective fields and expressed their passion for collaboration to enhance literacy access for all community members.

Statistics underscore the urgency of these efforts. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, approximately 43 percent of adults in the U.S. struggle with basic reading skills.

In Rowan County, an estimated 13 percent of adults do not have a high school diploma and 66.3 percent of students are classified as “not proficient,” scoring below a level 3 on English based on the 2022-2023 North Carolina School Report Cards. These figures emphasize the critical need for community-driven initiatives to improve literacy rates.

“To build a system toward literacy, we need a collective approach,” Rary said. “We need community members, after school programs like Next Generation and Brighter Minds Academy, initiatives like Little Free Libraries supported by South Main Bookstore, dedicated teachers and support staff. Opportunities like this discussion align our missions and actions toward an empowered community that has the right to dream big because they can read.”

Many attendees left feeling empowered and eager to learn how they could contribute to this important initiative. The participating organizations offered various volunteer opportunities, encouraging community members to support individuals on their literacy journeys.

For those interested in getting involved, contact the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP at info@salisburyrowannaacp.org or the Rowan County Literacy Council at info@rcliteracy.org to learn more about how to connect with the work happening across the Rowan-Salisbury community.

As one powerful quote from the documentary urged, “Literacy is not just a skill; it is a right that opens doors to endless possibilities.”