Pine Bluff, AR — Join the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) School of Education and the Pine Bluff School District (PBSD) for an exclusive screening of the early literacy documentary “The Right to Read,” on Thursday, October 12 at 4:45 pm (CST) at the UAPB STEM Conference Center, 1500 L.A. Prexy Davis Drive, Pine Bluff, AR.
“The Right to Read” Executive Producer LeVar Burton, Emmy-award-winning Director Jenny Mackenzie, and Producer Kareem Weaver will join UAPB and PBSD for a discussion following the film screening.
“The Right to Read” documentary shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. Experts throughout the film also discuss the current state of literacy in the United States and the importance of implementing the Science of Reading into classroom instruction nationwide.
Use this link to read an article in the Arkansas Democratic-Gazette by LeVar Burton that explains the importance of implementing high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
Bios
LeVar Burton, Executive Producer, is an actor, director, educator & co-founder of the award-winning Skybrary App, host and executive producer of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow,” and lifelong children’s literacy advocate. He played Geordi La Forge in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries “Roots,” and hosted the PBS Kids educational television series “Reading Rainbow” for over 23 years.
Jenny Mackenzie, Director, is a documentary filmmaker who produces films that promote social change. Her films include “Kick Like A Girl,” “Lead With Love,” “Dying In Vein,” and the 2018 Sundance & Emmy-award winning film “Quiet Heroes.” Her groundbreaking film, “The Right To Read,” premiered in spring 2023. Jenny’s films have aired on top broadcast and VOD channels such as HBO, HULU, PBS, and Amazon and have received praise in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The LA Times, and Variety. Jenny has a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Ph.D. from the University of Utah and is an assistant professor in documentary film production at Utah Valley University.
Kareem Weaver is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Full and Complete Reading, a Universal Mandate (FULCRUM) that partners with various stakeholders to improve student reading results. He is the Oakland NAACP’s Second Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee; his advocacy is featured in the upcoming film “The Right to Read.” Mr. Weaver previously served as New Leaders’ Executive Director of the Western Region and was an award-winning teacher and administrator. He has undergraduate degrees from Morehouse College and a master’s in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina. He believes in the potential of all students, the brotherhood of man, and the importance of service above self. His educational heroine for literacy instruction is the late Marva Collins.
For more information, contact the UAPB School of Education by email at schoolofeducation@uapb.edu or by phone at (870) 575-7836. Click to view a recording of the event on UAPB TV.
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