Category Archive: Press Room

boy reading with hearing aid

First Book and Education Researcher Susan Neuman Launch Groundbreaking Classroom Library Tool as Students Struggle to Access Literacy Rich Environments

Posted in: Press Room

Educator Survey Spotlights Inequity and Financial Hurdles of Building an Engaging and Effective Classroom Library WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 17, 2022) – First Book, the largest online network of educators serving children in need, in partnership with literacy expert and education researcher Susan Neuman, is launching a new tool to assess... Read more

children and teacher gathered around a laptop

First Book, an Innovative Leader in Education Equity, Releases Groundbreaking Research Illustrating the Impact of COVID-19 on Emotional Wellness of Students in Underserved Communities

Posted in: Press Room

Nearly One Thousand Educators Participated; Report that over half (53%) of the students they serve struggle with their mental health. WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022—First Book, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring education equity for children living in poverty, today announced the results of a national survey designed to identify emotional... Read more

time for change, changemaking, audemars piguet ashoka

First Book and Ashoka Join Forces with Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet to Launch Initiative to Inspire Youth as Changemakers

Posted in: Press Room

 Collaboration Will Equip Young People in Low-Income and Historically Excluded Communities with the Opportunities and Tools to Create Change Program Kicks Off with Actionable New Changemaking Resources for Educators January 18, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) – First Book, the largest online community of educators serving kids in poverty, and Ashoka, the... Read more

chiildren reading books together

Actor, Comedian, And Author Kevin Hart to Visit Hometown For a Major Virtual Event With Philadelphia School District For Debut Children’s Book MARCUS MAKES A MOVIE

Posted in: Press Room

On Thursday, December 16, a virtual conversation between Kevin Hart and six students from his alma mater elementary school will stream to the entire Philadelphia School District.  Random House, First Book to donate over 1,000 copies of Marcus Makes a Movie to Philadelphia schools.  New York, NY (December 15, 2021)—In partnership with First Book and the School... Read more

children reading books in a school hallway

AFT Launches Multiyear, Multimillion-Dollar ‘Reading Opens the World’ Campaign to Spark the Love of Reading

Posted in: Press Room

Multiyear literacy campaign aims to enhance reading instruction; engage parents, families, and communities; and distribute 1 million books to kids across the country WASHINGTON, D.C. — This holiday season, the American Federation of Teachers is launching a multiyear literacy campaign called “Reading Opens the World,” designed to support students, educators,... Read more

woman handing a child and a parent a book during the holiday season

3rd Annual Give a Million Holiday Fundraising Campaign

Posted in: Press Room

National nonprofit raising $1 million in donations to provide 1 million books to kids in need for the holidays. November 15, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) – Today, First Book, the largest online community of educators serving kids in poverty, announced the launch of its annual holiday giving campaign to raise $1... Read more

First Book Appoints Four Executives to Its Board of Directors

Posted in: Press Room

Sept. 30, 2021 (WASHINGTON) – First Book, a national nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to educational equity, today announced the appointment of four executives to its board of directors. The four new board members are Chequan Lewis, vice president, operations, Pizza Hut, Plano, Texas; Manish Madhavani, partner in charge, New York... Read more

AFT and First Book anniversary event, featuring Kyle Zimmer

First Book Celebrates 10-Year Partnership with AFT

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

AFT-First Book Partnership Distributes Thousands of Books, School Supplies, Personal Care Items to Three Charleston, W.Va., Schools  Event Marks 10th Anniversary of Nationwide Partnership that Started in Charleston  New National Grant Program for AFT Educators Also Announced  CHARLESTON, W.Va.—To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the American Federation... Read more

image of a young woman laying in the grass, smiling and reading a book. There is light blue boxes with purple text that say, 'Share Your Favorite Summer Read for Our New Online Album. Take a selfie with your favorite summer read and upload it by July 22 to celebrate our First Book family and the work we’re doing together! Send your selfie.'