Page 47 - The Crown 2015-2017

TLOD LITERACY (Lady Mary Grant, Chairman & Lady Shawna Brown, Co-
Chairman): TLOD chapters were advocates for literacy in local schools with "Arise
Team Read" (Tutoring and Mentoring Program), Reading Coaches, Black History
Celebrations and Family Reading Nights. TLOD invested in planning and implementing
programs and activities that focus on literacy such as "Literacy Cafe" and TLOD
Jewels of the Crown Book submissions. TLOD chapters participated in Reading Tutor
Programs at various community libraries. volunteered at neighborhood learning centers
to assist adults with reading challenges, partnered with private companies, government
agencies, and drug and alcohol-rehabilitation-centers. TLOD chapters had book drives,
donation of books and money from outside sources. Plus, chapters partnered with the
NAACP, libraries, YWCA, "Read Across America," "Reading Ambassadors" and
"Financial Literacy" with local banks. TLOD chapters unified and collaborated with the
Top Teens, Senior Citizen, Status of Women, and Community Beautification together
on programs such as safety and “Go Green” presentations.

UNCF (Lady Veronica Nesbitt, Chairman & Lady Helen Harvey, Co-Chairman): The
six area Chairmen and Co-Chairmen engaged their TLOD chapters in the UNCF
October 2016 “HBCU PRESERVATION FOR HISTORICAL BUILDING” campaign.
Letters, emails, text were sent to legislators regarding the preservation fund that was
granted $4 million through the U.S. National Park Service. With the advocacy on
federal student aid, UNCF was applauded for the federal student aid victories in 2017,
and urges even greater investment in students’ FY 2018 budget, which TLOD will
continue to support. TLOD will be ready to make an even greater impact as we
receive the request for advocacy on matters that affect our UNCF schools. In 2015-
2016 the six areas participated in letter writing to their legislators to support the
“American College Promise Act” and the “Parent Plus Loan” helping to restore for our
historical black colleges and universities. TLOD collaborated with over fifty
organizations including the AME, CME, AMEZ, Church of God in Christ, Catholic,
Methodist, Baptist Churches, Chicago Defender and Arizona Informant newspapers.
Organizations such as Jack & Jill, Sororities, Community Colleges, San Diego
Chargers, Local Banks, Northern Trust, Parks and Recreation Centers, and media
coverage with Hot 105 Radio station and local community T.V. channels were
additional collaborations. TLOD coordinated with local area UNCF offices where Top

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