Every child deserves the chance to walk into kindergarten ready to learn, and early literacy helps make that possible.
In fact, research shows that reading to children regularly before kindergarten exposes them to at least 290,000 more words and greatly contributes to how they understand language, communicate and learn.
United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) J. Mason Davis Leadership Society focuses on building those early literacy skills through its monthly reading initiative.
Introduced in 2024 in collaboration with Success By 6, the effort connects volunteers with Pre-K classrooms to help build early foundations.
A Legacy That Continues Through Early Learning
J. Mason Davis, a civil rights attorney, civic leader and long-time advocate for service and opportunity, believed deeply in the role education plays in shaping lives.
As the namesake of the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society, his influence continues to guide its focus on early literacy in the wake of his passing on April 4, 2026.
“Education is something that has been passed down in my family for generations and is exactly how I got to where I am,” he once said. “Teaching young people to read is changing lives and changing the community.”
Each month, that belief comes to life in classrooms across Central Alabama. JMDLS members visit Success By 6 sites to read with students. They often leave behind copies of the books, helping extend learning beyond the classroom.
“The J. Mason Davis Leadership Society focuses heavily on empowering young students through education. That is why we wanted to collaborate with Success By 6,” said Traci Chapman, Individual Giving Officer at UWCA and a JMDLS representative. “By distributing these books, we’re helping give children in our communities the opportunity to read.”
Small Moments That Help Children Start Strong
For volunteers, the time commitment may be small, but it often makes a child’s day.
“Reading a couple of stories might feel simple. But for a child, it can become the highlight of their day,” said Jasmine Wright of Protective Life, a JMDLS member and 2026 Steering Committee member. “That is the kind of memory that sticks with them.”
Alongside the monthly reading visits, JMDLS members also take part in an annual book- bagging event. They often assemble hundreds of bags filled with books selected to support Success By 6 classrooms and kindergarten readiness.
“Early learning shapes everything that comes after,” said Ladye Franklin, Success By 6 School Readiness Specialist. “When children are confident walking into kindergarten, they are better prepared to succeed. That is why partnerships like this matter so much.”
Together, these efforts continue to expand access to books and early learning experiences for children across Central Alabama — helping more students start school ready to learn.
To learn more about the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society and its upcoming events, click here.