Real MENtors Talk to Read to Students at Sun Valley Elementary School on October 17

The Birmingham Public Library's Real MENtors Talk program is partnering with the 100 Black Men of Metro Birmingham to read to students at Sun Valley Elementary School in Birmingham this Thursday, October 17. The event is being held to observe National Literacy Awareness Month, which recognizes the critical role reading plays in educational development.

Real MENtors Talk facilitator Roy L. Williams, BPL's Public Relations Director, will be joined by members of the 100 Black Men of Metro Birmingham as they read to children and talk about their careers between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at Sun Valley Elementary, 1010 8th Avenue Northwest in Birmingham.

"I am grateful that the 100 Black Men of Metro Birmingham is partnering with BPL to invest in the lives of the next generation," Williams said.

Members of the Real MENtors Talk panel discussion held September 16 at Five Points West Regional Library.

Real MENtors Talk is a mentoring program that BPL began this fall, featuring mentors who participate in panel discussions and share encouraging words for young people in libraries across Birmingham. For more information about Real MENtors Talk, contact Roy Williams at 205-226-3746 or email rlwilliams@bham.lib.al.us.

Thursday, October 17 is the same day Better Basics, a Birmingham-based literacy organization, is hosting Birmingham Reads, in which several Birmingham area adult volunteers will be reading to students in nearly 30 Birmingham city schools, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Also in honor of Naional Literacy Awareness Month, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has launched the online book club Read With Woodfin, using the hashtag  #ReadwithWoodfin.