Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Jason Baker, Executive Director of Champions for Literacy, who highlights the Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit organization that uses the power of sports to impact childhood reading.
During the interview, Jason shares how the organization was founded more than 11 years ago by the Wilfong family as University of Memphis basketball great, John Wilfong’s son had the idea as a high school senior athlete to use the platform of sports to inspire social change and make a difference focused on increasing youth literacy. Jason talks about the importance of focusing their efforts on literacy and the ripple impact it makes in our communities.
He discusses their three impact areas connected to childhood reading with Fight for Literacy Games, dollars raised to impact literacy-focused nonprofits in communities served around the nation, and the number of athletes (Impact Players) engaged, who inspire kids to become great readers. Jason highlights how professional athletes like Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies are getting involved and how companies can become Corporate Catalysts to support Fight for Literacy Games in their local communities and help support local efforts to increase youth literacy rates. He also touches on their efforts in Texas and how high school athletes, especially in Memphis, can get engaged to use their platform to power the GOOD.
Visit https://www.championsforlit.org to learn more and to get involved with Champions for Literacy.
