Milwaukee Bucks starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon will be the featured speaker at SHARP Literacy’s 17th annual “A Novel Event” on Monday, September 17 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at The Pavilion at Discovery World. Brad Bertler, global coordinating services partner of Ernst & Young LLC, and Marie O’Brien, president and CEO of Enterforce, Inc., are serving as event co-chairs.

Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 36th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, Brogdon was named NBA Rookie of the Year during the 2016/2017 season, becoming the first second-round pick to win the award since 1966. Prior to joining the Milwaukee Bucks, Brogdon spent four celebrated years playing basketball for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. During his college career, he was named First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) three times, and in his senior year, he became the first player in ACC history to win ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Off the court, Brogdon announced last spring he would be the first NBA ambassador for Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long’s Waterboys Initiative, an organization of NFL players providing East African communities with clean water.

Born to highly educated parents, Brodgon graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in leadership and public policy. Knowing the importance of a good education, he also understands that not all children are provided the same learning opportunities he had. Brogdon supports the mission of SHARP and believes, too, that all children deserve the chance to improve their literary skills, no matter their zip code, background or economic situation. The theme of Brogdon’s keynote address at A Novel Event will be “I Can and I Will,” emphasizing the importance of learning to read at a very young age, and how all children can achieve academic success if they have the will to do it.

At the dinner, Joel Quadracci, chairman, president & CEO of Quad Grapics, and his wife Caran, will be honored for their ongoing support of SHARP Literacy’s educational program with the Literacy Champion Award. Ken Lipske from Quad Graphics will accept the award on behalf of Joel and Caran. Josh Gimbal, and the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation, will receive SHARP Literacy’s EDGE Award (energizing through dedication, giving and engagement), which will be presented by Lynda Kohler, president/CEO of SHARP Literacy.

The message of this year’s A Novel Event is the importance of literacy at a young age, according to Lynda Kohler, president and CEO of SHARP Literacy. “When children learn to read at an early age, it spurs their curiosity and lays the foundation for future learning and academic success. We understand, however, that not all children are provided with the same opportunities and support in life.” Kohler went on to say, “At SHARP Literacy, we believe that every child – no matter their circumstances – should have the tools to improve their literacy skills. Throughout the year we’re addressing that critical need by delivering a comprehensive, hands-on educational program that helps thousands of elementary students become more confident and capable readers, writers and researchers.”

Funds raised at A Novel Event will support the delivery of SHARP’s foundational literacy program to over 8,000 K4 through fifth grade school students and educators in 39 of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties’ most at-risk schools.

Individual tickets for the event are $150 and may be purchased online at www.sharpliteracy.org or by
calling 414.410.3204. Various levels of corporate and individual sponsorships are also available. SHARP Literacy, Inc. wishes to thank this year’s largest event sponsors to date: Brewers Community Foundation, Richard and Joan Abdoo, BMO Harris Bank, Enterforce, Inc., Ernst & Young, MillerCoors, West Bend Mutual and media sponsor Milwaukee Business Journal.

SHARP Literacy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Milwaukee nonprofit educational program whose mission is to enhance future life success by energizing urban children, motivating them to identify themselves as confident, capable scholars and lifelong learners by inspiring engagement in reading, writing and research through hands-on interaction and visual arts. The primary goal of SHARP Literacy is to provide elementary school students with an imaginative learning experience that builds confidence, self-esteem, and a greater awareness of the world. This year SHARP Literacy, Inc. will impart foundational literacy skills to over 8,000 elementary school students and educators in 39 of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties’ most at-risk schools.  For more information, visit www.sharpliteracy.org.