We invite you to join us for one of our most impactful events of the year!
Unlocking Literacy 2026
This annual event, held on July 28th, equips attendees with cutting-edge research, practical strategies, and tools to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed in reading and beyond.
Unlocking Literacy is more than a conference: it’s a commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader.
Unlocking Literacy 2026 brings together educators, leaders, and advocates to strengthen the teaching, tools, and systems that help every student read, especially those with dyslexia.
Join us on July 28th for an inspiring day of learning, connection, and action featuring four tracks:
Birth to 5 — Early literacy foundations
K to 5 — Structured literacy for all students
6 to 12 — Adolescent literacy across disciplines
Leadership — Systems and strategy for literacy change
Your sponsorship helps underwrite the cost of this conference, making world-class literacy education accessible to educators across our community.
Why Attend?
Gain insights from top experts from Stanford, Yale, and other leading institutions
Discover the latest research and practical, curriculum-agnostic strategies in literacy education
Network with fellow educators and literacy professionals
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Kymyona Burk
Senior Policy Fellow, Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd)
Lindsey Brown
Vice Chancellor for Literacy Achievement
Special Guest Speaker
Dr. Jose L. Dotres
Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS)
Speakers:
Amanda Wilson
Manager for Literacy Micro-Credential Content and Implementation, University of Florida Lastinger Center
Amy Siracusano, M.S.Ed.
Literacy Consulting at Know Better Do Better Literacy
Amy Gates
Structured Literacy Specialist, REED Charitable Foundation
Ana Gonzalez
VPK Regional Facilitator, Florida Department of Education
Arlizia Smith
State Regional Literacy Director with the FLDOE's Florida! initiative, Florida Department of Education
Dr. Brooke Solz
Assistant in Research at Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University
Caridad Aday
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Carmen Conner
Principal at Leon County Schools
Cecilia Windisch
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Donna Depriest
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Dr. E. Judith Cohen
Faculty Administrator (Retired), Florida International University, Dyslexia Specialist
Esther Sanchez
State Regional Literacy Director, Florida Department of Education
Dr. Gladys Vega
State Regional Literacy Director, Florida Department of Education
Dr. Iris Borghese
State Regional Literacy Director, Florida Department of Education
Ivette Padon-Rojas
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Dr. Jennifer Dombek
Senior Research Associate at Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University
Jocelyn Nerey
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Chrystal LaVoie
Structured Literacy Specialist, REED Charitable Foundation
Karla Sotelo-Blanco
VPK Regional Facilitator, Florida Department of Education
Kristy Rios
Instructional Specialist at The Lucy Project
Dr. Kristi Cheyney-Collante
Research Scientist and Director of Early Childhood & Literacy at the University of Florida Lastinger Center
Dr. Mayte Dovale
Lead State Regional Literacy Director, Florida Department of Education
Michael Hunter
Founding Partner, Readsters
Mina Hosseini
Executive Director and President, P.S. 305
Natalia Romero
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Nicole Abreu
Director of Community Outreach, M-DCPS
Rachael Castro
Curriculum Support Specialist, M-DCPS
Shannette Philips
Kindergarten Teacher at Norwood Elementary School
Dr. Tracy L. Weeden
Founder of Upstream Education
Audra Hoag
Director of Lower School and Department Head of Writing, The Southport School
Dr. Bruce Baker
Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, University of Miami
Tracks
The Lucy Leadership Circle is an annual donor appreciation program dedicated to showing profound gratitude to our supporters by recognizing their invaluable contributions that are not restricted to a specific program. This allows us to use these funds where they are most needed to make the largest impact. Please join our mission to change children's lives.
Announcement & Recognition
Presenting Sponsor
Dedicated social media post
Feature in our newsletter
Name/logo recognition at the Grand Librarians level on event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Two tables of ten to the Unlocking Literacy Conference with preferred seating
5 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Grand Librarian member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Grand Librarian Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Dedicated social media post
Feature in our newsletter
Name/logo recognition at the Literary Luminaries level on event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Fifteen seats at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
4 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Literary Luminaries member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Literary Luminaries Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Name/logo recognition at Legacy Authors level on all event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Table of ten at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
3 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Legacy Authors member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Legacy Authors Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Name/logo recognition at the Narrative Nurturers level on all event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Table of ten at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
2 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Narrative Nurturers member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Narrative Nurturers Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Name/logo recognition at the Story Starters level on all event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Five seats at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
1 ticket to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Story Starters member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Story Starters Circle level
Thank you to our sponsors:
The Lucy Leadership Circle
(as of March 2026)
Literary Luminaries
Donors gifting $25,000 - $49,999
Legacy Authors
Donors gifting $10,000 - $24,999
Narrative Nurturers
Donors gifting $5,000 - $9,999
Story Starters
Donors gifting $2,500 - $4,999
Unlocking Literacy Conference 2025 Highlights
