Stories can and do change the world. At Oakland Literacy Council, we are witnessing the ever-changing narrative our adult students and volunteer tutors navigate. Each story is different, but all have the same ending – the desire to read, write and comprehend, fill out a job application, better provide for their family, or read to a child.

We are pleased to invite you to become a sponsor for Ex Libris 2020 on November 19, 2020. Unlike our last 35 years of joining in person, this year we offer a virtual event, keeping us all safe while enjoying an evening of stories, laughter, and the knowledge that you are making a significant difference in our community.

Ex Libris 2020 promises to be an entertaining and meaningful evening. The event will proudly feature New York playwright and Michigan native Kenneth Jones. Alabama Story, Kenneth’s play about books, race, censorship, and the American character, was a 2016 nominee for the Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. Kenneth’s work as a journalist includes 15 years as a leading writer and editor of Playbill and ten years as the theater reporter and critic for The Detroit News.

As a special addition to this year’s festivities, sponsors will be invited to a unique outdoor and socially-distanced staged reading of Alabama Story performed by the Birmingham Groves Performing Arts Company and Barebones Theatre Productions in the gardens of Kirk of the Hills Church in Bloomfield Hills on the afternoon of October 3rd (rain date October 4th).

Join Current Sponsors

Mark Twain

Judy Lindstrom

Rita Ann Lindstrom

Emily Dickinson

Barbara Van Dusen

Craig and Julie Hoensheid

Bernard and Eleanor Robertson

James Baldwin

George and Ann Manning

Toni Morrison

Joan and Bill Allesee Camille Breen William and Sarah Birkhill

Keith and Janet Collin Robert Gaylor and Greg Barnas

Karen Hagenlocker Jason Hamana Carol and Jay Herbst

Ellen and Marc Lipton Lisa and Dan Machesky

Russell Moore Khalfani and Alicia Stephens Cathy and Joel Topf

Sponsorship Opportunities

Mark Twain – $5,000

Includes additional sponsorship benefits for Alabama Story Preview Event with reply by 9/18/2020
Eight Ex Libris Benefactor tickets with Afterglow and special gift
Reserve seating at the Alabama Story Preview Event
Recognition in the Ex Libris printed invitation, social media, e-promotions to 2500+ subscribers, Council newsletter, and website
1-minute video ad promoted on social media and shown during the event
Full page ad in print programs for Alabama Story Preview Event and Ex Libris online program

Emily Dickinson – $3,000

Includes additional sponsorship benefits for Alabama Story Preview Event with reply by 9/18/2020
Six Ex Libris Benefactor tickets with Afterglow and special gift
Reserve seating at the Alabama Story Preview Event
Recognition in the Ex Libris printed invitation, social media, e-promotions to 2500+ subscribers, Council newsletter, and website
30-second video ad promoted on social media and shown during the event
Half page ad in print programs for both Alabama Story and Ex Libris online programs

James Baldwin – $1,500

Four Ex Libris Benefactor tickets with Afterglow and special gift
Two tickets to Alabama Story Preview Event (reply by 9/18/2020)
Recognition in the Ex Libris printed invitation, social media, e-promotions to 2500+ subscribers, Council newsletter, and website
Quarter page ad in the Ex Libris printed and online programs

Toni Morrison – $500

Two Ex Libris Benefactor tickets with Afterglow and special gift
Two tickets to Alabama Story Preview Event (reply by 9/18/2020)
Recognition in the Ex Libris invitation, Council newsletter, and website
Recognition in the Ex Libris printed and online programs

Lesley Tauro

12:43 05 Sep 24

I love being a English Tutor with Oakland Literacy Council on a one-on-one basis as well as for a conversation group. Through OLC, I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, many who have become friends.

Cynthia Werstein

23:48 04 Sep 24

I have enjoyed my ESL tutoring with Oakland Literacy Council. We received training to help us, help our students. I feel like I can reach out for additional help if needed. Not to forget, they offer outside activities, on occasion, so that the students and tutors can do some typical, but fun activities! OLC is a great organization to volunteer with.

Lisa Burns

21:33 04 Sep 24

I've been volunteering with the OLC for about a year and a half, and it's been a great experience! I very much enjoy the tutoring sessions with the student whom they paired me with. She is a lovely person and I've learned a lot from her too. OLC makes tutoring easy for volunteers, with an easy-to-use curriculum, training, support, and social events. Highly recommend!

Qambar Ali Sarwari

19:50 04 Sep 24

Great team, motivational atmosphere, Thank you for your always support and help, especially the refresher training you provide to the tutors.Warm regards ,Ali

Brad Roth

19:07 04 Sep 24

When I retired in 2020 (in the middle of the covid pandemic) I wanted to find ways to volunteer. As a former college professor, I am particularly concerned about education and literacy. Working with Oakland Literacy Council has been a wonderful experience for me. The staff at OLC (particularly Laurie Weeks) is so helpful and appreciative. I've gotten more hand-written thank you notes from Laurie in the last four years than from everyone else throughout the rest of my life combined. Volunteering for OLC lets me give back to society but enjoy retirement too. I highly recommend it.

Kelly Turner

11:12 23 Aug 24

I would like to say How amazing Oakland literacy Council is I came in May To Continue my education and I thank god I found them they where at the bottom of the list when they should have been at the top of the list first off the staff is amazing they did everything by the book I did placement testing to figure out where to place me they took the time out to get the best tutors they also called and checked in on me and also motivated me to keep going and never give up they gave me the option to go online for tutoring or in person Stewart my tutor was amazing he took pride in educating me and never made me feel like I was bothering him patricia was amazing she stayed on me and stayed consistent they made me feel like familythe icing on the cake was how they acknowledged me on graduation day the whole team was there for me and my family and I was so happy and me and my kid's could feel the love it's nothing that I would not do for Oakland literacy I will be there spokesperson for life cause it's worth it and they have top notch tutors employees and the online tutor services is Phenomenal if you're seeking to continue your education look no more this is the place to go

Sanghee Han

11:59 22 Aug 24

I was so lucky to meet oakland literacy Council. Since OLC has been a great institute for me almost 2 years. And they helped my english improve and give me some good talking classes for learning new culture here as well. Now that I graduated from a reading program at OLC, I feel like I'm still with them. Really appreciate it.

BAIYANG LAI

19:36 15 Aug 24

In the past three years I learned English with Oakland Literacy. I met quite a few tutors in one by one tutoring and some conversation groups. Those tutors were so incredible and awesome! They really really helped me a lot in my English. My gratitude to all of them is beyond words!

jung min son

17:36 15 Aug 24

Thank you for having me with your excellent support.. I really enjoyed learning English and having conversation class with others. I made some good friends and I think Oakland Literacy Council is very good for people who need English support 👏 👍

Joseph Lee (Jo)

16:39 15 Aug 24

Oakland Literacy Council was a very good program for me as my second language. I evaluated my English ability through English listening and reading tests and matched my tutor accordingly. As a result, my English improved a lot. And most of all, it was free.