CEO's and Celebrities Read to 1,000 NYC Public School Children at Learning Leaders Celebrity Read Aloud

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein addresses corporate audience on the state of public education and how nonprofits and companies can help.

NEW YORK, April 18, 2005 - Learning Leaders—NYC's largest volunteer organization for public school children—is hosting 1,000 NYC public school students along with celebrity and corporate readers at a Celebrity Read Aloud and Corporate Fundraising Breakfast at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center from 9am to 11am.

The event is co-chaired by Reuben Mark, Chairman and CEO of Colgate-Palmolive and Ann S. Moore, Chairman and CEO of Time Inc. The opening Breakfast features Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, who will speak to the corporate and individual guests about the state of public education in New York City.

"The future of our City is in public schools right now. More than a million children of all backgrounds representing a wealth of talent that needs to be nurtured. The corporate community understands the strategic importance of having a diverse talent pool in the future," said Digna Sanchez of Learning Leaders. "We are thrilled to have so many corporations and professional firms represented at this celebration of literacy and hope to engage them in our volunteer programs."

After breakfast, guests are invited to stay and watch, as celebrities and corporate leaders read specially chosen books to one thousand 4th graders from all over the City. Students will experience the excitement of seeing books come to life. This year’s theme for the Read Aloud and citywide essay contest is generosity.

Popular actor Ben Stiller will be joined on stage by Alison Bartlett from Sesame Street, Brent and Candace from Nickelodeon's U Pick Live, CBS2 News Anchor, Dana Tyler, and CEOs Reuben Mark, Ann Moore and Jonathan Tisch of Loews Hotels.