Partners for Rural Impact

Join us at the 2024 Rural Library Network eSummit featuring keynote speaker Storybook M.! Ms. Maze, known as Storybook Maze, is a dynamic force in the world of literacy advocacy and community engagement. As the founder of Storybook Maze, she has dedicated her career to addressing book deserts and promoting equitable access to books for children and families. With a passion for social justice and a commitment to community empowerment, Ms. Maze has developed innovative programs such as free public book vending machines, pop-up "Free Bookstores," and "Streetcorner Storytimes." Her work has garnered significant media attention, including features on Good Morning America, FoxSoul, a TED Talk, and numerous awards, such as the Camelback Fellowship and the Riding the Gap Achievement Award. Learn more about the eSummit and register at https://cvent.me/ZdEOVw.

PRI was proud to partner with the National Center for Families Learning on their 2024 Families Learning Conference this week. The conference brought together educators, literacy practitioners, community-based organizations and coalitions, librarians, parent leaders, funders, policymakers, researchers, and more to collaborate on engaging families in family literacy. This Family Engagement Month, it's important to take time to ensure we are creating equitable and relevant family learning experiences. We are excited that PRI's Director of Policy & Planning Jenna Meglen, Director of Family Partnership Jenny Hobson, and Associate Director of Learning & Knowledge Management Becky Phelps had the chance to speak to participants about barriers to effective family engagement and ways to overcome them in their session Overcoming Barriers Through Policy and Advocacy. Thank you to all who made the conference such an enriching event. #NCFL24 #FamilyEngagementMonth

Libraries are vital, especially for kids. Sharing this event from Partners for Rural Impact to signal boost!

Join us for breakout sessions at the Rural Library Network eSummit! Sessions include Books and Outreach: Challenging Book Deserts and Homes Without Books Through Community with Brenda Hornsby Heindl from Liberty Public Library, Healthier Generation "Me Moment" Retreat with Daniel Hatcher from Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and Securing a Seat at the Table with Ashley Stewart from EveryLibrary. Speakers will explore ways libraries can creatively and effectively engage their communities, identify funding sources, and cultivate partnerships, and attendees will have the chance to participate in an interactive session to explore restorative activities to find peace and calm when life feels intense. Learn more and register for the eSummit at https://cvent.me/ZdEOVw.

We are thrilled that PRI CEO Dreama Gentry will be taking the stage at the 2024 NationSwell Summit this Thursday. Gentry will be speaking about how, in her 30 years of working with rural communities, she has witnessed rural children, youth, and families often left out of the national conversation. She will share how each of us can lean in to ensure all rural children have an opportunity-filled life. Learn more about Gentry's Impact Spotlight at the NationSwell Summit at https://buff.ly/4euHVTQ.?

Reminder that registration is now open for the 2024 Rural Library Network eSummit! At the end of each year, the eSummit brings together more than 500 rural library practitioners and friends from across rural America to celebrate their role in building strong communities and learn more about using cradle-to-career strategies to address educational and health disparities. Attendees will have the chance to receive library resources, including bookstore gift cards, Amazon gift cards, and a STEM kit, as well as a free registration to the 2025 Rural Summit in Anchorage, Alaska. Learn more and register at https://cvent.me/ZdEOVw.

At last year's Rural Summit, we asked attendees about their biggest takeaways and how it felt to be part of a movement to support pathways for success for rural students and their communities. Hear what they had to say about their time exchanging innovative ideas and strategies with other educators, nonprofit leaders, community leaders, and rural residents for ensuring that every rural youth is on the path to upward mobility from birth to career. Learn more and register for the 2025 Rural Summit happening this April in Anchorage, Alaska, at https://cvent.me/ZeOWn3. #RuralSummit25

As he prepares for the next phase of his career, we'd like to say a huge thank you to Mike Hogg, our VP of Place-Based Partnerships, for his dedication and impact at Partners for Rural Impact over the past 7 years. Mike has tirelessly championed rural children and families, working to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping and growing PRI, and we're grateful for the legacy he’s built. We can’t wait to see all that Mike will achieve in his new role at Berea College. Thank you, Mike, for all your work here at PRI.

The deadline to submit a speaker proposal for the 2025 Rural Summit has been extended until November 22! Learn more about the Summit and submit your proposal at https://cvent.me/ZeOWn3.