Join us for Read Ahead's first ever virtual gala!

Full schedule and details below

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a week of virtual events celebrating Read Ahead mentors and mentees, partners, supporters, and this year’s honoree, DLA Piper! If you missed out on any of our live events, please check out the links below for the replays.


Support our vital work in schools with a donation of any size.


Follow @readaheadny and #BooksandBeyond2020 on social media to join the conversation and share your Read Ahead story!

Download our Digital Program!

Thursday, September 10

6pm EST
Kickoff Welcome

Join Read Ahead’s Executive Director Kristen Baldwin for a live welcome to the week! Kristen will share Read Ahead updates, heartwarming stories of impact, answer questions on the live feed, and raise a glass to the week ahead, where we’ll celebrate all things Read Ahead!

Missed it live? Watch now!

Friday, September 11

All day
National Day of Service and Remembrance

Read Ahead will join thousands of organizations across the country to honor the memory of those who were lost on September 11 by recognizing service in our community. This spirit of unity and compassion will be a focus across Read Ahead’s social media platforms.

See our video on Instagram

Saturday, September 12

10am to 12pm EST
Silent Reading Party hosted by the Read Ahead Junior Board

Spend your Saturday curled up with a good book and good company! Bring your favorite reading material and stay as long as you like. Registration is completely free, with an optional donation to Read Ahead.

Make a donation

Sunday, September 13

10am / 12pm / 7pm EST
Sunday Read Alongs

Sit down with special guest readers from the Read Ahead community as they share their favorite read alongs throughout the day!

Story schedule:

10AM: I am Enough by Grace Byers, If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff, Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh

12PM: Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

7PM: My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, CJ’s Big Dream by C.J. Watson

All videos will be available following their premieres on the Read Ahead Facebook page.

Watch now on Facebook!

Monday, September 14

6pm - 7:30pm EST
Panel Discussion: Raising Resilient Readers

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on New York City public schools and students. Join us for a fascinating conversation with principals and educators from Read Ahead’s school partners on how schools, families, and communities can work together to support children and foster success during this difficult time.

Panelists:

Aminah Abusway, Community School Director, P.S. 67 The Dorsey School

Renny Fong, Principal, P.S. 130

Kyesha Jackson, Principal, P.S. 67 The Dorsey School

Kyesha Lewis, Program Coordinator, Read Ahead

Esther Reyes, Assistant Principal, P.S. 92Q

Moderated by Kristen Baldwin, Executive Director, Read Ahead

Missed it live? Watch now!

Tuesday, September 15

12 pm EST
Messages to students video collection
Join us at lunchtime for a world premiere of this special collection of video messages! Read Ahead mentors, supporters, and a few special surprise guests will share their messages for Read Ahead students as they get ready for the 2020-21 school year.
Watch now on Facebook!

Wednesday, September 16

5:45pm Pre-Show / 6:00pm Celebration / 6:30pm After-Party DJ Set
Books and Beyond Virtual Gala
Celebrate with us at our virtual gala event, where we’ll share heartwarming stories and our vision for the future. We’ll also toast to our honoree, DLA Piper, for their enduring partnership.
Missed it live? Watch now!

Get in touch

To learn more about gala sponsorship, or with general questions, contact us below.

Contact us
Donate Premium Child Theme for Wordpress