Event Highlights & Media
As our organization continues to grow, so does our impact and reach. Explore the highlights of our events dedicated to advancing literacy across Illinois any beyond.
2026 Event Highlights
2026 Parent Conference
Each year, Everyone Reading Illinois holds its Annual Parent Conference, which is a half-day conference uniquely for parents and families of children with reading struggles, including dyslexia. The Parent Conference includes expert presentations, a student panel discussion, and parent networking opportunities.
Our 2026 Events
In March 2026, Everyone Reading Illinois held an in-person parent conference in the Chicagoland area, bringing together experts and parents for an informative morning of learning and connection. (See our photo highlights.) In April 2026, we also hosted a virtual parent conference to expand our reach to parents and families.
Photos by Mindy Garfinkle Photography
2026 Dyslexia Awareness Fundraiser
Our 2026 Dyslexia Awareness Fundraiser, held on February 26, 2026, was a powerful evening focused on improving literacy for children who struggle to learn to read. Ameer Baraka headlined the event as the keynote speaker. Ameer, an Emmy-nominated actor, author, and dyslexia advocate, learned to read as an adult while in prison and shared his inspiring story of overcoming illiteracy. This year’s fundraiser was our most successful fundraiser to date!
Exciting media coverage leading up to the fundraiser included a feature on Daytime Chicago, highlighting keynote speaker Ameer Baraka (click here). You can also watch this Fox 32 Chicago interview (click here) with Ameer Baraka and Everyone Reading Illinois Co-President Shira Schwartz, where Ameer shared his story and helped raise awareness about dyslexia and the fundraiser.
2025 Event Highlights
The Everyone Reading Illinois "Dynamics of Dyslexia" 2025 Fall Conference
Each fall, Everyone Reading Illinois hosts its two-day “Dynamics of Dyslexia” Fall Conference, the organization’s largest professional development event of the year. The conference features two keynote presentations along with engaging breakout sessions for teachers, administrators, tutors, specialists, and parents.
Fox 32 Chicago Highlights Our 2025 Dyslexia Conference
The Everyone Reading Illinois 2025 “Dynamics of Dyslexia” Fall Conference was a tremendous success, thanks to the support of our presenters, sponsors, and attendees. In advance of the conference, Fox 32 Chicago highlighted the event on October 27, 2025.
Click here to watch the segment promoting the Fall Conference, raising awareness about dyslexia, and emphasizing the importance of early literacy screening and research-based literacy instruction.
