3 minute read
For the Love of Literacy
This fledgling charitable organization is inspiring readers and building community by collaborating with key partners to amplify literacy and celebrate diversity in South St. Pete.
By Nick Steele
We chatted with Lorielle J. Hollaway, the founder of Cultured Books Literacy Foundation about the organization’s mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning while honoring the rich cultural heritage of a critically underserved community.
“We make reading fun and accessible,” Hollaway explains. “We host events like storytimes, festivals, and teen workshops that bring books to life. Our goal is to inspire a love for reading while celebrating Black voices and stories from around the world. It’s all about building connections through books and culture. We focus on creating spaces where youth and families can see themselves in literature and appreciate the diverse stories around them. Our programs are welcoming, interactive and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our neighborhood.”
The foundation’s annual St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest is an outdoor family-friendly book fair that celebrates National Family Literacy Month. It is a full day of “reading fun” in collaboration with The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, St. Petersburg Library System, Florida Humanities, and the Gobioff Foundation. Attendees can meet and hear from a variety of authors through storytimes and panel discussions, participate in literacy-focused workshops, get books signed by local and national authors and discover resources to help keep them reading long after the festival ends.
The city of St. Petersburg has officially recognized the first Saturday in November as St. Pete Reads! Day. Funding is provided, in part, through a Florida Humanities Book Festival Grant, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
“Lit Fest is one of my greatest joys, bringing our community together with authors, workshops, and the magic of books,” Hollaway shares. “I dream big…I dream wide about how Cultured Books can nurture the literacy lifestyle within south St. Pete and I call on my community to help make those dreams a reality.”
And she says her passion has been supported by the community, even during the toughest of times.
“The St. Pete community is truly amazing. Even with back-to-back storms last year, everyone—from neighbors to local businesses and community partners—came together to ensure this past November’s Lit Fest remained a vibrant event,” Hollaway offers. “Their dedication to creativity and literacy, despite personal challenges, shows the strong and positive spirit that makes our community special.”
For more information, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, email stpetereads@culturedbooks.org or visit culturedbooks.org
