RIF OF NOVA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY GOLDEN GALA: ONE FOR THE BOOKS
To help celebrate RIF of NOVA's 50th birthday -- 1972 to 2022 -- we held a Golden Gala: ONE FOR THE BOOKS!
Golden Gala Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker David Baldacci
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David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, “because every mom needs a break now and then.”)
Baldacci published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. The feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, Baldacci has published 45 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. He has also published seven novels for young readers. A lifelong Virginian, David Baldacci received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C. |
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Emcee Jummy Olabanji
Jummy Olabanji co-anchors News4 Today, NBC 4's morning news program. A native of Fairfax County, Olabanji has spent most of her life in Virginia, graduating from Westfield High School in Chantilly and Virginia Tech. She has been honored for her work with two national Edward R. Murrow Awards for breaking news anchor coverage, two Virginia Associated Press Awards, and eight EMMY Awards. Olabanji is an advocate for organ donation and sits on the board of the National Kidney Foundation. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. |
Note: Due to scheduling issues, author and educator Kwame Alexander has had to cancel his appearance at the Golden Gala.
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Literacy Luminary Awardee Dr. Ingrid Bynum
Dr. Ingrid Bynum is a featured speaker at the Gala, where she will receive RIF of NOVA's first-ever "Literacy Luminary" Award for exceptional and ongoing support for reading and literacy in the Northern Virginia community. Since 2012, Dr. Bynum has been the principal of Patrick Henry K-8 School, one of the 37 schools and sites served by NOVA RIF. As a child, she received a book from RIF while living in dire poverty in the city of Richmond. It changed her life. Now, with many degrees to her credit, including a Doctorate of Education in advanced educational leadership, this Alexandria City Public School 2016 Principal of the Year is passionate about reading and urges every one of her approximately 900 students to read, read, read! Reading scores at her school have improved dramatically because of it! |
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