Nancy Barry

January 28, 2009

Nancy Barry, speaker, author and Gen Y expert, was honored as a Champion of Literacy at a breakfast event at the Junior League of Houston on January 28th.

The ballroom was full of an energetic audience who listened as Nancy spoke about her passion for helping young people and about the challenges of illiteracy in the city of Houston.

Nancy is the author of When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know. For the first time in history, there are four generations in the workplace and Nancy spoke about the soft skills that are so important for success.

"When Reality Hits also applies when a learner realizes they can't read or write, and that means they don't have very many options in front of them."

Literacy Advance volunteer tutor, Karen Antone, and learner, Genita Saint-Fleur, spoke to the audience about their experiences and achievements. Genita's reading and writing skills have dramatically increased since she started classes at Literacy Advance.

"Literacy impacts all aspects of our daily lives in ways which I didn't fully realize until participating in an event like today's where I was able to hear it straight from those who are benefiting," said Rick Gillis, host of "Rick Gillis Employment Radio" on ESPN 97.5 FM, who emceed the event.

After the breakfast, Barry appeared at Houston Community College before an audience of professors, teachers and counselors and spoke about how the faculty can prepare young people for the real world.