Stories Served™: Lights, Camera, Literacy™ — LEFT BEHIND Film Screening

Celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month with A.D.E. and Learning Ally through film, lived experience, advocacy, and powerful conversations. Stories Served™: Lights, Camera, Literacy™ Film. Stories. Advocacy. A Conversation Philadelphia Needs. Hosted by A.D.E. – Audacity to Dare to Educate Presented by Learning Ally This October, in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month and in celebration of A.D.E. – Audacity to Dare to Educate's 5th Anniversary, A.D.E. and presenting sponsor Learning Ally are bringing families, educators, literacy leaders, advocates, and community members together for an afternoon where stories aren't just told—they're served. Join us for Stories Served™: Lights, Camera, Literacy™, featuring a special screening of the documentary LEFT BEHIND and live conversations that move beyond awareness to explore what happens when families, educators, advocates, and communities decide that struggling readers will no longer be left behind. 🎬 On the Screen: LEFT BEHIND LEFT BEHIND follows the journey of New York City mothers who refused to accept a system that was failing children struggling to read. Their advocacy grew into a movement to create change for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. But the story doesn't end when the credits roll. We're bringing the conversation off the screen and into Philadelphia. 🎙️ Raising Readers, Raising Advocates Before the film, we'll hear from women whose personal experiences with literacy, dyslexia, parenting, education, and advocacy have helped shape movements and change lives. This live conversation will explore what happens when the people who love our children become some of their fiercest advocates—and what families need from the village around them. 🎤 Three Generations. One Conversation. After the screening, three generations will come together for one powerful conversation about reading, dyslexia, identity, advocacy, and what it means to grow up—and grow forward—learning differently. Featuring: Kareem Weaver — National literacy advocate and Co-Founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM Brent Johnstone — Author, advocate, dyslexic, and Co-Founder of FathersRead365, bringing the perspective of an adult who has lived the experience of learning differently and now advocates for literacy and the next generation. Aden — A young person featured in LEFT BEHIND, bringing the voice too often missing from conversations about education: the student's. 🎤 Opening the Experience We're honored to have Hilderbrand Pelzer III help open Stories Served™. A Philadelphia educational leader, literacy advocate, and Production Consultant for LEFT BEHIND, Hilderbrand brings a unique perspective connecting the film's message to the realities facing students, families, and educators in Philadelphia. These conversations will be facilitated live by On Purpose with Stacey J. This Is More Than a Film Screening. It's an opportunity to listen. To learn. To recognize the difference between a child who won't read and one who is struggling to access reading. To hear directly from families and young people. To connect with literacy resources. And to leave better equipped to advocate for the unique minds in our homes, classrooms, and communities. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, student, educator, school leader, literacy professional, advocate, or community member, you have a seat at the table. 🧡 Access Matters. We don't want transportation to determine who gets to participate. Stories Served™ Umuzi Access Hubs will be available throughout Philadelphia to help provide transportation to and from the event for registered attendees who need it. Additional hub and transportation information will be shared with registrants. Celebrating Five Years of A.D.E. For five years, A.D.E. has worked to Close the Equity Gap in Special Education, One Unique Mind at a Time. During Dyslexia Awareness Month, we're celebrating this milestone the way we know best—not simply by looking back at what we've accomplished, but by bringing the village together to continue the work ahead. We are grateful to Learning Ally, our exclusive Presenting Sponsor, for partnering with A.D.E. to help bring this experience to Philadelphia and expand access to conversations and resources around literacy and dyslexia. Hosted by A.D.E. – Audacity to Dare to Educate Presented by Learning Ally Come for the film. Stay for the conversation. Leave ready to make sure truly no child is LEFT BEHIND.