Super Bowl Champion and Literacy Advocate Malcolm Mitchell Led a Statewide Reading Rally with Thousands Participating

The Georgia Council on Literacy hosted the second annual Georgia Reads Day at the College Football Hall of Fame. The event featured a Reading Rally with more than 400 Atlanta Public School students to highlight the importance of improving Georgia’s literacy rates. The event was also live-streamed statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), allowing classrooms across Georgia to tune in and participate in the statewide literacy celebration.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a proclamation designating September 22, 2025, as Georgia Reads Day. The goal of Georgia Reads Day is to raise awareness about the importance of literacy and to highlight the Georgia Reads movement, a statewide effort led by the Georgia Council on Literacy that seeks to improve reading skills for Georgians of all ages through a unified, community-focused approach.

“Early literacy and education continue to be top priorities for the Georgia House,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “Our children are our future, and their future starts in our classrooms. That’s why we’re proud to support Georgia Reads Day and the work of the Georgia Council on Literacy to make sure every child in our state can read on level by third grade. We remain dedicated to supporting the success of our teachers, students, and literacy coaches every step of the way.”

Georgia Reads, an initiative of the Georgia Council on Literacy, is presented in partnership with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), its nonprofit, GeorgiaForward, and the Share the Magic Foundation. Malcolm Mitchell, CEO and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation and the Literacy Council’s Georgia Reads Coach, led this morning’s Reading Rally, a signature “Read with Malcolm” literacy program hosted by Mitchell’s organization. The program included fourth graders from seven Atlanta Public elementary schools and was sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, WellStar and the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2024, over 100,000 students joined the livestream, with expected numbers of over 200,000 in 2025.

This year’s event built on existing statewide momentum. In 2025, the Governor and the General Assembly made historic investments in literacy, allocating over $18 million to expand Georgia Literacy Coach Coordinating efforts. As a result, Georgia now has 225 literacy coaches deployed across the state, including 60 directly working with Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools. These coaches play a crucial role in helping classroom teachers who have recently completed essential professional development in the science of reading. Their support helps ensure that this training translates into effective classroom instruction.

Georgia Reads Day also emphasized the importance of community partnerships in promoting reading success. Earlier this year, ten communities received the Georgia Reads Community Award for creating effective collaborations that boost literacy outcomes. This award aims to unify and strengthen the fragmented literacy ecosystem, guiding it toward a new era of understanding. Winners receive $25,000 to support their literacy initiatives. The application process for 2025, which will select ten more communities in 2026, opens today.

“I commend Governor Kemp for proclaiming September 22 as Georgia Reads Day,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Literacy is the foundation for opportunity and is critical at every stage of life—from the earliest days of childhood through adulthood. When our communities come together to support reading, we strengthen families, open doors to success, and ensure every Georgian has the tools to succeed in education, work, and life.”

About the Georgia Reads Movement

An initiative of the Georgia Council on Literacy, Georgia Reads aims to address the national issue of low literacy by demonstrating the impact of a unified approach. The Georgia Reads mission is to unify and empower the fragmented literacy ecosystem, guiding it toward a new era of understanding. From Savannah to Columbus, Rome to Augusta, Valdosta to Athens, and every community in between, Georgia Reads aims to be the guiding star in transforming the societal impact of low literacy. Join Georgia Reads and support your community as they become a shining example of partnerships aligned for literacy improvements. It’s a new dawn—let’s turn the page to a brighter future.

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