Corporate Spelling Bee

Literacy is important to the community because it helps people communicate effectively and contribute productively to society. Mayor Frank G. Jackson gave welcoming remarks at the first Annual CLE-BEE Corporate Spelling Bee to benefit The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland held at the City Club on Euclid Avenue.  In addition, Mayor Jackson also presented a proclamation in celebration of The Literacy Cooperative’s 10th Anniversary. 

The Literacy Cooperative is the region’s primary organization to address the very difficult problem of low literacy in both children and adults, which is a widespread and critical challenge in the community. Since 2006, The Literacy Cooperative has worked with funders, policy makers, and literacy practitioners to elevate and integrate the issue of literacy and to improve outcomes for learners.  

The Literacy Cooperative works to advance literacy through the following initiatives:

  • Early Literacy/Parent Engagement
  • Adult Literacy and Career Pathways
  • Professional Development

Literacy is a basic human right that empowers people to be productive workers, learners, engaged citizens and educates parents. September 8, 2016 was declared International Literacy Day by the United Nations. Among the hundreds of attendees, the special guests for the inaugural competition were Betsy Kling, Chief Meteorologist, WKYC who served as the emcee; Mike Snyder, WTAM 1100, Sports Director, Wills & Snyder Show who served as a reader; Monyka Price, Chief of Education, City of Cleveland who also served as a reader; and, The Honorable John J. Russo, Administrative and Presiding Judge Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court who was the actual judge at the CLE-BEE Corporate Spelling Bee. 

Photographer: 
William C. Rieter