Full screen
OPTION 1MESSAGE & IMAGE
120 words, name, and optional image
OR
OPTION 2DESIGNED FILE (JPG OR PNG)
1920 × 1080 px (16:9)
Literacy Academy Collective opened the first public school in the nation for students with dyslexia.
A Toast to Five Years
Wednesday, November 18
419 Lafayette, NYC6:00–9:00pm
Join us to celebrate five years of impact, and raise a glass to benefit the next five and beyond!
Five years ago, a group of parents set out to do what no one else had done: open the first public school in the nation built for students with dyslexia.
Tonight we raise a glass to what followed — two schools, students reading who were told they never would, and a statewide effort to change how New York teaches reading.
How far the next five years reach is up to the people in this room.
Our Honorees
LAC proudly honors three leaders who have widened the path for struggling readers.
To celebrate our honorees, event journal tribute ads are included with ticket purchases, sponsorships, or donations of $250 or more.
Host Committee
Host Committee members give or help raise $5,000 or more by inviting new friends to the cause.
Benefit Co-Chairs
- Rachael Bachleda
- Ingrid Bateman
Host Committee
- Sian Edwards-Beal
- Mark* and Borbala Cox
- Gail Eilers
- Julie Berkun Fajgenbaum
- Katie Firth
- Jo Flattery
- Ruth Genn and Stacey Shurgin
- Zachary Goldman and Stephanie Adamowicz
- Jessica Henry
- Elissa and Bill Johnson
- Jennifer Keller
- Jeannine Kiely*
- Becca Kong
- Rosalind Fahey Kruse
- Sarah Landy
- Emily Leish
- Steve Miller and Carly Baxter
- Meisha Porter*
- Andy Rafal* & Leslie Alkalay
- Joanna Hagan Rego
- Roxana Reid*
- Kimeran Daley Reinhart
- Jordin Ruderman
- Rachel Schneider
- Aubrey Shipway and Dave Miller
- Anna Toomey
- Betsy Wagner
- Jamie Williamson*
- Magdalena Zavalia
* Member of the Literacy Academy Collective Board of Directors
List in formation. Updated as of November 7.
Email us to join the Host Committee:
Our Sponsors
With gratitude to the individuals and organizations underwriting the evening.
Co-Chair
- Rachael Bachleda
- Ingrid Bateman
Visionary
- Mark and Borbala Cox
- Andy Rafal & Leslie Alkalay
Trailblazer
- Anonymous
- Ruth Genn and Stacey Shurgin
- Rosalind, Kevin and Ryan Kruse
- Susan Leeds
- Steve Miller and Carly Baxter
- Joanna Hagan Rego
- Magdalena Zavalia
Advocate
- Gail Eilers
- Julie Berkun Fajgenbaum
- Zachary Goldman and Stephanie Adamowicz
- Jessica Henry
- Samanda & Brent Hicks
- Elissa and Bill Johnson
- William Jebaily
- Rebecca and Stephen Kong
- John Marino
- Spotify
- Trinity Church
Supporter
- The Ardian Foundation
- BankUnited
- Kirstin Kearns-Jordan and Kevin Jordan
- Jill Lauren / Whole Phonics
- Learning Ally
- Vivian Genn Pittman and Robert Pittman
- Jordin Ruderman
- Aubrey Shipway and Dave Miller
- David Wassong
- The Windward School
Friend
- Tamer Alamuddin & Patricia Sarrafian Ward
- Susie & Charlie Anderson
- Nina Chaifetz
- Mario D'Andrea
- Stephanie & Aaron Goldman
- Susan & Albie Hecht
- Katsky Korins LLP
- SkyerLaw
- Linda L Hellstrom
- Louisa Holland
- Donald and Sandra Schwarz
- David Roberts & Claudia Setra
- Arielle and Philip Sherrill
- James & Shannon Sullivan
- Jenn Rudd
- Zelda and Sheldon Tenenbaum
- Sol Zimmerman
List in formation. Updated as of November 7.
Get Tickets, Sponsor, or Donate
Tickets and sponsor sales are currently on pause, due to limited availability. Sponsors are recognized by level, receive tickets, and contribute a tribute journal ad. Tribute ads are included with any gift, ticket, or package of $250 or more.
Every ticket or event gift includes a 30-day viewing link for Left Behind, the award-winning documentary featuring the story of LAC’s founding.
Ticket Packages
(2) Tickets
$500- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Quarter Screen
Ticket sales are currently paused, due to limited availability.
(1) Ticket
$250- Personal tickets
- 1
- Tribute journal
- Text-Only Listing
Ticket sales are currently paused, due to limited availability.
Sponsor Packages
Co-Chair
$50,000- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Full Screen
Sponsor registration is currently paused, due to limited availability.
Visionary
$25,000- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Full Screen
Sponsor registration is currently paused, due to limited availability.
Trailblazer
$10,000- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Full Screen
Sponsor registration is currently paused, due to limited availability.
Advocate
$5,000- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Half Screen
Sponsor registration is currently paused, due to limited availability.
Supporter
$2,500- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Half Screen
Sponsor registration is currently paused, due to limited availability.
Friend
$1,000- Personal tickets
- 2
- Tribute journal
- Quarter Screen
Sponsor registration is currently paused, due to limited availability.
Digital tribute journal
Tribute Ads
Celebrate LAC and our honorees with your tribute ad in the digital tribute journal, displayed at the event and online.
Two ways to submit an ad:
- 1) Email us your message, name listing, and optional image
- 2) Or email your fully designed ad
Email us to submit your tribute ad by Thursday, November 12. Click here to see pricing.
Tribute ad size
OPTION 1MESSAGE & IMAGE
OPTION 2DESIGNED FILE (JPG OR PNG)
Full screen
120 words, name, and optional image
1920 × 1080 px (16:9)
Half screen, vertical
60 words, name, and optional image
960 × 1080 px (8:9)
Quarter screen
20 words, name, and optional image
960 × 540 px (16:9)
Text-only message
20 words and name, no image
Text-only
Half screen, vertical
OPTION 1MESSAGE & IMAGE
60 words, name, and optional image
OR
OPTION 2DESIGNED FILE (JPG OR PNG)
960 × 1080 px (8:9)
Quarter screen
OPTION 1MESSAGE & IMAGE
20 words, name, and optional image
OR
OPTION 2DESIGNED FILE (JPG OR PNG)
960 × 540 px (16:9)
Text-only message
OPTION 1MESSAGE
20 words and name, no image
OR
OPTION 2DESIGNED FILE (JPG OR PNG)
Text-only
Email us to submit your tribute ad by Thursday, November 12. Click here to see pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Email fiveyears@literacyacademycollective.org with event questions, and we'll follow up personally.
Where is the event, and how do I get there?
419 Lafayette, a loft space in NoHo at 419 Lafayette St, New York, NY, between Astor Place and East 4th Street. It is a short walk from the 6 at Astor Place, the R/W at 8th Street–NYU, and the B/D/F/M at Broadway–Lafayette. Rideshare drop-off on Lafayette is easiest. 419lafayette.com
What should I wear?
Come as your most celebratory self. Cocktail attire, business festive, or a favorite outfit you'd wear to impress your favorite teacher — all of it fits right in. The spirit of the evening is joyful, not formal.
How do I purchase a Digital Tribute Journal Ad?
Tribute ads are included with any gift, ticket, or package of $250 or more. to get yours.
Can I give through a Donor-Advised Fund?
You may give through a donor-advised fund (DAF) by making a fully tax-deductible donation to LAC in support the event. IRS regulations prohibit the use of DAFs to pay for event tickets considered goods or benefits. If you plan to attend the event, the cost of those benefits must be . The Fair Market Value of each used ticket is $175.
Can I pay by check?
Yes. Sponsorships may be paid online or by check made payable to Literacy Academy Collective. Please mail checks to 66 Crosby St, Suite 6E, New York, NY 10012, and email us to confirm your level.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Literacy Academy Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Sponsorships and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, less the fair market value of $175 per ticket used. A written acknowledgment with the deductible amount follows every gift.
Why LAC
Literacy Academy Collective's goal is to break the cycle of illiteracy in New York. We're building a citywide network of public schools that bring evidence-based, structured literacy to students at the intersection of race, poverty, and disability. And we're driving statewide policy change, so future literacy teachers are trained with proven methods.
- 95%
- Of students have the ability to learn to read
- 30%
- Of New York fourth graders read at a proficiency level
yet only
South Bronx Literacy Academy
When reading becomes easier, everything changes.
- 70%
- Of last year's fourth graders now make typical or above progress
- 2–3x
- The expected rate at which students gain foundational reading skills
Your support changes lives across New York
- Lighthouse Public SchoolSouth Bronx Literacy Academy opened in 2023 at 2nd grade, now opening middle school in 2026.
- Network of Literacy AcademiesWe're growing and learning. Central Brooklyn opened in 2025. Our vision is five schools by 2030.
- Classrooms across NYCOur summer academies and after-school programs educate students and teachers at once.
- Statewide System ChangeLAC is leading a statewide policy initiative to change teacher preparation standards and programs.
Your gift at work
$50,000
Co-Chair
Allows ten LAC students to receive specialized literacy instruction for the full year.
$25,000
Visionary
Allows ten students to participate in our Summer Literacy Academy.
$10,000
Trailblazer
Covers books and materials for an entire grade of students.
$5,000
Advocate
Covers the cost of training ten LAC teachers.
$2,500
Supporter
Covers uniforms and backpacks for fifty LAC students.
Wednesday, November 18 · 419 Lafayette, NYC
Join us for the Toast
Reserve your tickets or choose a sponsorship level — every gift expands literacy for New York City students.
Questions? fiveyears@literacyacademycollective.org