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Literacy Partners
will host its 2026 Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner
at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, bringing together
New York’s literary, philanthropic, civic and business
leaders for a festive black tie evening celebrating the
power of literacy to change lives on Monday, June 8, 2026.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the gala, first held
in 1986, by its founder, Liz Smith.
The annual gala will
support Literacy Partners’ mission to advance literacy two
generations at a time, helping adults, parents and
caregivers build the skills and confidence they need to
create stronger futures for themselves and the children in
their care. This year’s gala will honor four distinguished
leaders whose work reflects the organization’s commitment to
education, storytelling, service and opportunity:
Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell,
award-winning author, will receive the Lifetime Achievement
Award. A pioneering figure in contemporary crime fiction,
Cornwell has built an internationally acclaimed body of work
that has captivated readers and helped define a genre.
Sabastian Niles
Sabastian Niles,
president and chief legal officer of Salesforce, will
receive the Distinguished Leadership in Literacy Award.
Niles will be recognized for leadership that reflects the
importance of access, equity and opportunity in building
stronger communities.
Barbara Tober
Barbara Tober will
receive the Lizzie Award, recognizing her longtime
commitment to culture, philanthropy and civic engagement. A
patron of the arts, publishing maven, and lifelong New
Yorker, Barbara Tober helmed BRIDES magazine as its
Editor-in-Chief for over 30 years. The award is named in
honor of Liz Smith.
Sherrie Westin
Sherrie Westin,
president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, will receive the
Champion of Literacy Award. Westin’s work at the helm of the
global nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” reflects a deep
commitment to children’s learning, early education and the
lifelong value of literacy.
Lesley Stahl
The 2026 gala will
be hosted by Lesley Stahl, the award-winning journalist
known for her distinguished career in broadcast journalism
and her decades of work with “60 Minutes.”
In keeping with
tradition, the Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner will bring
to life stories that speak to the transformative power of
literacy, from overcoming barriers to opening new
opportunities for families and communities. The program will
also spotlight the voices and experiences at the heart of
Literacy Partners’ work.
Since 1973, Literacy
Partners has provided free, high-quality literacy education
to adults and families through a two-generation approach.
Its programs support adults, parents and caregivers while
also helping children build early reading, social-emotional
and school readiness skills.
For more
information, to make a contribution or to purchase a table
or tickets for the 2026 Literacy Partners Gala, please visit
www.literacypartners.org/gala
About Literacy
Partners:
Literacy Partners
advances literacy two generations at a time, by supporting
adults, parents, and caregivers in nurturing the literacy
skills they and the children in their lives need to thrive.
Literacy Partners research-based programs incorporate child
development and parenting support to help parents and
caregivers boost children’s early reading, social emotional
growth, and school readiness. Designed to arm every parent
and caregiver with the necessary tools they need to create
success for themselves and a better future for the children
in their care, Literacy Partners’ programs break the cycle
of poverty, improve job prospects, and close the achievement
gap for children before they even begin school.
For more
information, please visit: www.literacypartners.org
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