1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:02,000 Good morning everybody. 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:09,720 There are few people who've given the world a Nashville, 3 00:00:09,919 --> 00:00:12,880 something as lasting and impactful as Dolly Parton. 4 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,320 She gave us the belief that a child's dreams should never be 5 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:20,039 limited by the circumstances into which they're born. 6 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:24,039 That's a value we hold dear as we work to make sure that every 7 00:00:24,039 --> 00:00:25,559 child in Nashville has an 8 00:00:25,559 --> 00:00:27,239 opportunity to reach their potential. 9 00:00:27,839 --> 00:00:30,039 Dolly understood this lesson personally. 10 00:00:30,039 --> 00:00:33,240 Her family in East Tennessee didn't have much. 11 00:00:33,399 --> 00:00:35,119 Her father struggled to read, 12 00:00:35,119 --> 00:00:37,119 and books were a precious commodity. 13 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:40,560 She turned that personal testimony into one of the most 14 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:42,359 consequential acts of 15 00:00:42,359 --> 00:00:44,640 generosity in modern American life. 16 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:48,880 What we now know as the Imagination Library started in 17 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:52,240 Sevier County, where she would mail a free, carefully selected 18 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,640 book every month to children from birth to age five. 19 00:00:56,359 --> 00:00:59,280 Governor Phil Bredesen worked with Dolly to make that a 20 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:00,600 statewide program. 21 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:04,359 Now it's available nationwide and its impact has even spread 22 00:01:04,359 --> 00:01:06,120 globally to multiple countries. 23 00:01:06,879 --> 00:01:09,879 What started as a gift to children where she grew up 24 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:16,079 is now the reason 300 million books are in the hands of 25 00:01:16,079 --> 00:01:17,560 children around the globe. 26 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:20,239 In Nashville, we've embraced that mission. 27 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,400 Our Nashville Public Library has partnered with Imagination 28 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,359 Library, which in Middle Tennessee is facilitated by our 29 00:01:26,359 --> 00:01:29,879 wonderful partners at United Way to put books and early 30 00:01:29,879 --> 00:01:33,079 literacy tools within reach for thousands of children here. 31 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:37,159 We've even had special dolly themed library cards, and this 32 00:01:37,159 --> 00:01:39,799 is maybe the perfect time to consider bringing those back. 33 00:01:40,719 --> 00:01:44,319 As a father of two girls who were faithful subscribers to 34 00:01:44,359 --> 00:01:47,280 the Imagination Library, there was something special each 35 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,040 month when the book arrived at 36 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:50,400 the door with their names on it. 37 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:51,840 Just like Dolly. 38 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:53,760 That book's arrival was magical. 39 00:01:54,439 --> 00:01:57,840 Dolly knew that literacy wasn't just a school's issue. 40 00:01:57,879 --> 00:02:01,000 It is an issue of possibility, of opportunity, and one that 41 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,680 can reshape a life for my daughters. 42 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:04,719 Books have given them 43 00:02:04,719 --> 00:02:07,959 vocabulary, imagination and confidence. 44 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,680 Their first dreams were built on the foundation of what they 45 00:02:11,719 --> 00:02:13,240 have learned from reading. 46 00:02:14,159 --> 00:02:17,439 It's a distinct honor to have been able to work directly with 47 00:02:17,439 --> 00:02:21,120 Dolly, her foundation, and her business team on so many 48 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,439 projects meaningful to her in Nashville, because she reminded 49 00:02:25,439 --> 00:02:29,080 all of us that success is fleeting unless you lift others 50 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:29,759 as you go. 51 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,759 Tennessee is lucky to call Dolly one of our own, but her 52 00:02:33,759 --> 00:02:37,919 greatest gift isn't 9 to 5, my Tennessee Mountain Home, or 53 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,000 even her unique version of Rocky Top. 54 00:02:40,439 --> 00:02:43,360 It's the millions of little moments in living rooms across 55 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:44,840 the world when a child opened a 56 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,039 book and discovered a bigger world. 57 00:02:47,439 --> 00:02:51,759 It's her encouragement to all of us to love every moment. 58 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:53,840 That's her enduring legacy. 59 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,680 That's what we're going to build upon in Nashville. 60 00:02:57,159 --> 00:03:00,319 And one way we're doing that is through our first of its kind. 61 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:04,039 Begin. Begin Bright program, which puts little libraries 62 00:03:04,039 --> 00:03:05,719 filled with Dolly's imagination. 63 00:03:05,719 --> 00:03:09,560 Library books in every child care center in Nashville. 64 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:12,840 Teachers and parents get literacy resources to help 65 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,800 their young learners, and so far, we've installed little 66 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,800 libraries in 69 of our child care centers, and that number 67 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:19,919 is growing quickly. 68 00:03:20,759 --> 00:03:24,120 When we finish, we'll be the first city in the country to 69 00:03:24,159 --> 00:03:26,240 pull this off and make it permanent. 70 00:03:26,879 --> 00:03:29,560 One of Mpls program leaders for Begin Bright is here, and I 71 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:32,919 want to thank you all for your work as well as your service on 72 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:36,039 the Imagination Library Advisory Board here in Middle 73 00:03:36,039 --> 00:03:39,120 Tennessee, and I hope Dolly would be proud of the impact 74 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,199 Begin bright will have on the incredibly formative years of a 75 00:03:42,199 --> 00:03:44,599 child's life from ages 0 to 5. 76 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,000 We also carry this legacy forward through our great 77 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,039 library system. 78 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,039 Our children's librarians and staff are long standing 79 00:03:52,039 --> 00:03:53,759 champions of early literacy. 80 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:55,520 Terry Thomas is one of them. 81 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,159 She launched the Nashville Public Library's Early literacy 82 00:03:58,159 --> 00:03:59,319 program for families. 83 00:03:59,319 --> 00:04:02,550 Read to Rise, and I'd like to invite Terry to share more 84 00:04:02,550 --> 00:04:05,789 about that work and the impact she's seen these books have on 85 00:04:05,789 --> 00:04:06,870 the lives of our children. 86 00:04:07,270 --> 00:04:08,870 So, Terry, thank you. 87 00:04:13,430 --> 00:04:14,069 Good morning. 88 00:04:14,590 --> 00:04:18,710 I had the great fortune of becoming a librarian in 2002, 89 00:04:19,149 --> 00:04:22,269 just two years after Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 90 00:04:22,269 --> 00:04:24,790 expanded from Sevier County to the country. 91 00:04:26,029 --> 00:04:29,670 When caregivers bring their babies to storytime, I ask, do 92 00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:31,470 you get Imagination Library books? 93 00:04:32,389 --> 00:04:36,110 When a new grandparent visits the library, I ask, is the baby 94 00:04:36,110 --> 00:04:37,990 getting imagination library books? 95 00:04:37,990 --> 00:04:39,230 Here's how you sign up. 96 00:04:40,110 --> 00:04:44,389 While we here at the library do offer books for free every day, 97 00:04:44,550 --> 00:04:46,389 up to 100 at a time. 98 00:04:46,910 --> 00:04:49,589 We do ask that children return them. 99 00:04:50,389 --> 00:04:53,389 This can be very difficult for little ones who have fallen in 100 00:04:53,389 --> 00:04:55,269 love with a particular book. 101 00:04:56,350 --> 00:05:00,629 So when Imagination Library books arrive at their home with 102 00:05:00,629 --> 00:05:05,550 their name on it and they get to keep them forever and ever. 103 00:05:06,189 --> 00:05:11,189 That is truly a special gift to honor the generosity and the 104 00:05:11,189 --> 00:05:13,230 wonderful life of Dolly Parton. 105 00:05:13,589 --> 00:05:17,230 Um, please join us for storytimes at your library 106 00:05:17,350 --> 00:05:20,670 throughout the city over the next few weeks to hear some of 107 00:05:20,670 --> 00:05:25,149 your librarians favorite books from the Imagination Library. 108 00:05:26,589 --> 00:05:30,829 Um, next up, we have Erica Mitchell, um, president and CEO 109 00:05:30,829 --> 00:05:31,870 of United Way. 110 00:05:36,990 --> 00:05:38,310 Thanks so much, Terry. 111 00:05:38,350 --> 00:05:39,269 Thank you, Mayor 112 00:05:40,709 --> 00:05:44,389 Nash. On behalf of our team and the families that we serve 113 00:05:44,389 --> 00:05:46,389 across Middle Tennessee, I'm 114 00:05:46,430 --> 00:05:48,310 grateful to stand with everyone here. 115 00:05:48,350 --> 00:05:51,910 It feels like a little bit of a family reunion in celebrating 116 00:05:52,189 --> 00:05:54,069 Dolly Parton, an artist, a 117 00:05:54,069 --> 00:05:57,350 philanthropist, a champion for children. 118 00:05:57,949 --> 00:06:00,949 So we know Dolly Parton through songs that crossed generations 119 00:06:00,949 --> 00:06:01,709 and borders. 120 00:06:02,069 --> 00:06:03,550 But for millions of children. 121 00:06:03,550 --> 00:06:05,509 She was also the book lady. 122 00:06:06,310 --> 00:06:09,189 She was the person whose name arrived on a package in the 123 00:06:09,189 --> 00:06:13,029 mailbox every month, carrying a story just for them. 124 00:06:13,029 --> 00:06:15,230 And I'll just share that one of my team members, a lot of our 125 00:06:15,230 --> 00:06:16,470 team members have children who 126 00:06:16,470 --> 00:06:18,430 receive Imagination Library books. 127 00:06:18,629 --> 00:06:21,750 And one of the little girls said when she heard about 128 00:06:21,790 --> 00:06:23,709 Dolly, who's going to send me the books? 129 00:06:23,709 --> 00:06:25,189 Who's going to send my books? 130 00:06:25,550 --> 00:06:26,389 And we said, we're going to 131 00:06:26,430 --> 00:06:27,870 make sure those books keep coming. 132 00:06:27,870 --> 00:06:29,350 We'll make sure they keep coming. 133 00:06:29,670 --> 00:06:33,230 But Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 in 134 00:06:33,230 --> 00:06:36,269 her home county in East Tennessee, inspired by her 135 00:06:36,269 --> 00:06:37,949 father's inability to read. 136 00:06:38,310 --> 00:06:41,670 In 2013, United Way of Greater Nashville became the local 137 00:06:41,670 --> 00:06:43,589 program partner, and. 138 00:06:43,589 --> 00:06:46,069 Her idea was simple but powerful. 139 00:06:46,389 --> 00:06:48,430 Every child should have books 140 00:06:48,430 --> 00:06:50,670 at home, regardless of family income. 141 00:06:51,509 --> 00:06:55,709 She understood that when a child opens a book, that child 142 00:06:55,709 --> 00:06:58,110 also opens a door to language 143 00:06:58,110 --> 00:07:00,910 and confidence, curiosity and possibility. 144 00:07:01,189 --> 00:07:04,470 And today, that vision reaches children all around the world. 145 00:07:04,629 --> 00:07:06,389 More than 3 million books are 146 00:07:06,389 --> 00:07:08,750 mailed each month here in Tennessee. 147 00:07:08,750 --> 00:07:12,870 Every child from birth to age five is eligible to receive a 148 00:07:12,870 --> 00:07:14,589 high quality, age appropriate 149 00:07:14,589 --> 00:07:16,790 book at no cost to their family. 150 00:07:17,589 --> 00:07:19,110 Across Middle Tennessee. 151 00:07:19,310 --> 00:07:20,910 That looks like more than five. 152 00:07:20,949 --> 00:07:21,310 I'm sorry. 153 00:07:21,389 --> 00:07:25,949 5000 children received the books, and more than 500 000 154 00:07:25,949 --> 00:07:28,509 books that are distributed through the program every year. 155 00:07:29,550 --> 00:07:30,910 Think about what that means. 156 00:07:31,310 --> 00:07:34,949 Thousands of children hearing this book is for you, just like 157 00:07:34,990 --> 00:07:35,910 Terry said. 158 00:07:36,750 --> 00:07:39,990 Thousands of caregivers pausing to read one story. 159 00:07:40,589 --> 00:07:44,470 Thousands of home libraries growing one mailbox at a time. 160 00:07:45,389 --> 00:07:47,949 The impact is bigger than the books themselves. 161 00:07:48,110 --> 00:07:50,150 Reading together helps build vocabulary. 162 00:07:50,470 --> 00:07:53,430 It strengthens the bond between children and caregivers and 163 00:07:53,430 --> 00:07:57,350 prepares young learners to enter school ready to succeed. 164 00:07:57,949 --> 00:08:00,910 Because the first years of life are such a critical period for 165 00:08:00,910 --> 00:08:04,949 brain and language development, every shared story matters. 166 00:08:05,550 --> 00:08:08,189 At United Way of Greater Nashville, we are honored to 167 00:08:08,230 --> 00:08:11,269 help carry this promise forward in partnership with the 168 00:08:11,269 --> 00:08:14,310 Dollywood Foundation, the Governor's Early Literacy 169 00:08:14,310 --> 00:08:16,430 Foundation, local leaders, 170 00:08:16,670 --> 00:08:19,750 donors, the library, community partners. 171 00:08:20,149 --> 00:08:24,310 We raise the resources and awareness needed to keep moving 172 00:08:24,310 --> 00:08:27,310 books into the hands of children throughout the region. 173 00:08:27,829 --> 00:08:30,870 Dolly showed us that a bold vision can begin with something 174 00:08:30,870 --> 00:08:34,990 small one child, one book, one family reading together. 175 00:08:35,350 --> 00:08:38,870 Then it can grow into a movement that changes what is 176 00:08:38,870 --> 00:08:40,669 possible for generations to come. 177 00:08:41,429 --> 00:08:43,549 So today, we honor Dolly. 178 00:08:43,990 --> 00:08:46,629 Let us do more than celebrate what she built. 179 00:08:46,950 --> 00:08:49,509 Let us recommit ourselves to sustaining it. 180 00:08:49,789 --> 00:08:53,230 If you are the parent or the caregiver of a child under 181 00:08:53,230 --> 00:08:54,389 five, enroll. 182 00:08:55,309 --> 00:08:58,029 And if you can give, volunteer 183 00:08:58,070 --> 00:09:00,470 or help spread the word, join us. 184 00:09:00,870 --> 00:09:04,230 And if a child asks you to read the same favorite book for the 185 00:09:04,230 --> 00:09:05,830 10th or the hundredth time. 186 00:09:06,110 --> 00:09:10,750 Say yes, because in that moment you are helping build a reader 187 00:09:10,750 --> 00:09:11,750 and a future. 188 00:09:12,110 --> 00:09:15,190 Dolly gave generations of children more than books. 189 00:09:15,470 --> 00:09:17,429 She gave them the joy of being read to. 190 00:09:17,470 --> 00:09:20,830 The confidence to learn and the promise that their community 191 00:09:20,830 --> 00:09:22,429 believes in their future. 192 00:09:22,669 --> 00:09:26,190 May we honor her by keeping that promise together. 193 00:09:26,429 --> 00:09:27,029 Thank you. 194 00:09:37,429 --> 00:09:38,070 Thank you. 195 00:09:38,110 --> 00:09:39,470 Terry. Erica. 196 00:09:39,909 --> 00:09:45,309 Um. Every area that has the Imagination Library has a great 197 00:09:45,309 --> 00:09:46,950 local partner like United Way. 198 00:09:46,950 --> 00:09:48,110 That makes it possible. 199 00:09:48,110 --> 00:09:51,389 And if you have been to any of our roundtables over the past 200 00:09:51,389 --> 00:09:55,429 few years, you know how much of an impact our United Way here 201 00:09:55,429 --> 00:09:58,149 and Erica and her team have in Middle Tennessee. 202 00:09:59,029 --> 00:10:02,070 As I said earlier, Dolly Parton's message to all of us 203 00:10:02,070 --> 00:10:04,269 was to love every moment. 204 00:10:04,269 --> 00:10:06,710 So we're going to take every moment to love Dolly back. 205 00:10:07,190 --> 00:10:09,389 That's why one of the reasons we wanted to have our 206 00:10:09,389 --> 00:10:13,029 Imagination Library partners here is today, I am proud to 207 00:10:13,070 --> 00:10:16,710 join them in proclaiming September Imagination Library 208 00:10:16,710 --> 00:10:17,950 Month in Nashville. 209 00:10:18,750 --> 00:10:20,429 This is something we had been planning. 210 00:10:27,509 --> 00:10:31,830 And it's one of the many ways that I think this city and the 211 00:10:31,830 --> 00:10:37,830 people who have loved, uh, Dolly's music, her success as a 212 00:10:37,830 --> 00:10:42,070 businesswoman, her incredible philanthropy and her joyful 213 00:10:42,070 --> 00:10:47,350 spirit will will have ways to continue to uplift that legacy. 214 00:10:47,870 --> 00:10:52,429 In doing so, I do hope that in echoing Erica's call, every 215 00:10:52,429 --> 00:10:55,590 nashvillian will take a chance to encourage a child. 216 00:10:55,590 --> 00:10:59,230 They know, a family they know to sign up for Imagination 217 00:10:59,230 --> 00:11:02,029 Library or if you can donate. 218 00:11:02,029 --> 00:11:05,340 This wonderful program changes the lives of countless more 219 00:11:05,340 --> 00:11:06,179 young people 220 00:11:07,259 --> 00:11:09,179 with every addition of support. 221 00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:12,700 And I want to end today with two final reflections, the 222 00:11:12,700 --> 00:11:16,500 first on Dolly and the Labor Day holiday that's just around 223 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:17,059 the corner. 224 00:11:17,740 --> 00:11:20,899 Dolly Parton was a member of two unions for 58 years. 225 00:11:20,899 --> 00:11:22,980 She was a member of the American Federation of 226 00:11:22,980 --> 00:11:25,299 Musicians local 257 that's the 227 00:11:25,299 --> 00:11:27,099 Nashville Musicians Association. 228 00:11:27,580 --> 00:11:29,820 She also joined Sag-Aftra in 229 00:11:29,820 --> 00:11:33,100 1969, amassing over 50 years in membership. 230 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:36,740 Throughout her career, she maintained her membership, 231 00:11:36,860 --> 00:11:39,259 helping other entertainers and musicians find the fair 232 00:11:39,259 --> 00:11:40,460 treatment they deserve. 233 00:11:40,899 --> 00:11:44,379 And we know that when workers organize, wages and benefits go 234 00:11:44,379 --> 00:11:48,340 up and safety improves not just for those that are organizing, 235 00:11:48,340 --> 00:11:49,299 but for everyone. 236 00:11:49,820 --> 00:11:52,740 And we know too, there are some big jobs ahead in Nashville, 237 00:11:52,740 --> 00:11:55,220 ones that will require a lot of hard work. 238 00:11:55,220 --> 00:11:58,580 And as we continue to invest in programs like Music City 239 00:11:58,580 --> 00:12:02,580 Construction Careers and work with unions in the public 240 00:12:02,580 --> 00:12:05,539 sector, I'm grateful as we approach Labor Day. 241 00:12:05,539 --> 00:12:08,500 To all the workers who've played such a significant role 242 00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:10,740 in building Nashville into the city it is today. 243 00:12:11,259 --> 00:12:14,419 I hope I'll see many of you at the Labor Day parade next week. 244 00:12:14,659 --> 00:12:17,419 A few months ago, we lost another great woman leader, 245 00:12:17,460 --> 00:12:20,100 Rhonda McDaniel, the long serving president of the 246 00:12:20,100 --> 00:12:23,220 Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. 247 00:12:24,019 --> 00:12:27,220 This parade was near and dear to Wanda's heart, and I worked 248 00:12:27,220 --> 00:12:30,620 with her for more than a decade to make sure the parade was a 249 00:12:30,620 --> 00:12:31,779 success every year. 250 00:12:32,059 --> 00:12:35,580 So I hope people will turn out like never before to make this 251 00:12:35,580 --> 00:12:37,539 our biggest Labor Day parade ever. 252 00:12:38,299 --> 00:12:41,179 Lastly, one final announcement that builds on the love of 253 00:12:41,179 --> 00:12:44,379 literacy and opportunity that Dolly was so passionate about. 254 00:12:45,100 --> 00:12:48,860 We're excited that My Brother's Keeper Nashville has just been 255 00:12:48,860 --> 00:12:52,259 selected for the Obama Foundation Accelerator program. 256 00:12:52,259 --> 00:12:55,539 This is a two year, $200,000 grant initiative. 257 00:12:56,019 --> 00:12:58,860 The goal is to ensure every Metro School student is reading 258 00:12:58,860 --> 00:13:01,019 on grade level by the end of third grade. 259 00:13:01,419 --> 00:13:04,340 As we've talked about today, achieving that goal starts with 260 00:13:04,340 --> 00:13:07,220 early learning, strong families, access to books, 261 00:13:07,220 --> 00:13:11,139 excellent teaching, trusted relationships, and coordinated 262 00:13:11,139 --> 00:13:12,259 community support. 263 00:13:12,580 --> 00:13:13,779 That's exactly what My 264 00:13:13,779 --> 00:13:15,899 Brother's Keeper offers as an organization. 265 00:13:15,899 --> 00:13:19,139 I was proud upon taking office to announce that we would be 266 00:13:19,139 --> 00:13:22,179 the official sponsor of the organization, and I'm looking 267 00:13:22,179 --> 00:13:25,539 forward to joining students and families tomorrow at the sixth 268 00:13:25,539 --> 00:13:28,539 annual My Brother's Keeper Nashville Youth Empowerment 269 00:13:28,539 --> 00:13:31,980 Summer Summit at Martin Luther King Junior Magnet High School, 270 00:13:32,179 --> 00:13:34,899 where one of the sessions will focus on storytelling. 271 00:13:35,259 --> 00:13:36,899 And with that, I'll take some questions. 272 00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:48,899 This has been a service of the Metro Nashville Network. 273 00:13:49,059 --> 00:13:52,500 If you would like to see this presentation again, or for more 274 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:56,459 information on this and other programs, visit nashville.gov.