Cleveland residents and students accepted Mayor Justin Bibb’s challenge to read in 2023 and far exceeded expectations.  

During the Cleveland Reads Victory Bash, Mayor Bibb and CMSD CEO Dr. Warren Morgan, and other dignitaries convened a parade at the Louis Stokes wing of the downtown library and led a procession up East Sixth Street.  In front of City Hall, the results of the yearlong challenge were revealed.  

Cleveland residents read 1,476,215 books, with a combined  total of 10, 699,118 minutes spent reading.    

Dr. Morgan said  the community celebration shows there is a village to help students not only learn to read but to develop a love of reading.   

“Our teachers are working hard every day to close the literacy gap,” said Dr. Morgan. “But you need a village, a community, to come alongside the district and support our scholars.”   

Mayor Bibb said reading is fun and is a key to his success.  

“As a kid on the Southeast side, it opened a lot of doors of opportunity for me and I hope our young people see the excitement and the importance of reading,” said Mayor Bibb.   

During the day of celebration, families also enjoyed activities and free book giveaways books at Cleveland Public Auditorium.   

The Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Teachers Union, American Federation of Teachers, and other literacy champions helped make this accomplishment a reality.   

CTU donated and disturbed more than 70,000 books for residents to read.   

“When we have strong readers, we have strong leaders,” said Shari Obrenski CTU President.