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Honoring Early Literacy Champions: Highlights from the New Orleans Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Appreciation Event

United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s New Orleans Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (NOLA-CGLR) recently hosted an appreciation event to recognize the leaders and partners driving change and helping thousands of children achieve literacy success. This work is powered by generous donors and the collective action of dedicated community leaders, proof that when we work together, our vision translates into tangible progress.

NOLA-CGLR is part of the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, which works collaboratively with local leaders in government, education, business, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector to ensure children read on grade level by the end of third grade, which is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success. Locally, our goal is ambitious: to have 80% of economically disadvantaged New Orleans students reading on grade level by 2027.

The Engine of Our Vision: The Working Group Co-Chairs
Our working groups thrive because of strong leadership. The co-chairs are steadfast in their commitment to convening local leaders, guiding strategy, and overcoming challenges to positively impact thousands of children each year.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the leaders of our five key working groups:

  • Awareness & Advocacy: Charmaine Caccioppi & Adrinda Kelly
  • NOLA Data Hub: Asya Howlette & Morgan Shannon
  • Educational Resources & Toolkits: Dr. Candace Weber & Tifferney White
  • Hospitality & First Responders Childcare Consortium: Chris Bardell & Rochelle Wilcox
  • Longitudinal Study Group: Dr. Deirdre Johnson-Burel & Dr. Libbie Sonnier
 

Our Inaugural Award Winners

This year’s inaugural awards celebrated those making a lasting impact on literacy across our city.

Collaborative Partner Recognition — Institute of Mental Hygiene (IMH)
Presented to IMH for its invaluable collaboration, shared commitment, and significant investment in NOLA-CGLR. IMH understands that reading on grade level is not just an educational milestone, it’s a foundational health and equity issue. Their partnership has helped elevate the importance of early literacy, ensuring the campaign has the visibility and resources needed to thrive. Special thanks to IMH and dedicated leader, Ron McClain.

Community Partner Recognition — The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale (MKFF)
Awarded to MKFF for their dynamic partnership and dedication to promoting literacy throughout New Orleans. MKFF embodies the joy of community engagement, literally throwing books along the parade route and integrating literacy into every celebration. Their unparalleled energy and fierce commitment to our approach help make reading visible, accessible, and cool. Dr. Takeisha Davis accepted on behalf of the krewe.

The Carol Wise Early Childhood Literacy Champion Award — Carol Wise
The evening concluded with a major announcement: the creation of a new annual award honoring Carol Wise, a true North Star in the early childhood and literacy world, and a permanent tribute to the legacy she continues to build. The award, presented to Carol Wise, recognizes her exceptional leadership, collaboration, and lifelong commitment to improving reading outcomes for New Orleans’ children.

Carol’s career is a masterclass in dedication and vision. Her unwavering commitment, contagious passion, and immeasurable impact embody the relentless spirit required to change lives. For decades, she has opened doors of opportunity for our youngest learners—leading post-Katrina recovery of the decimated childcare networks, serving on United Way boards, and chairing Success By 6. Her work continues to shape the foundation for children’s well-being and the advancement of professional women in our community.

Carol Wise was present to receive the inaugural award.

Joining a Campaign for Grade-Level Reading working group is a powerful way to make a lasting difference for children and families. Together, we can turn ideas into action and ensure every child in New Orleans has the chance to read on grade level by third grade.evt

JOIN THE NEW ORLEANS CAMPAIGN FOR GRADE-LEVEL READING

Event Photos

NOLA-CGLR Appreciation 11.18.25

Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.