The Power of the Written Word

Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 11:30am

Literacy is a major issue in Detroit.  It was recently reported by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund that 47% of Detroiters are functionally illiterate.  This week on Street Beat, host Syma Chowdhry looks at the importance of the written word with those who create it and those who read it. 

First she looks at the creative process with the author of "In Stitches," a memoir written by local plastic surgeon Dr. Tony Youn.  (www.institchesbook.com)

Community Correspondent Ben Falik finds out about a giant used book sale called "Bookstock" that raises money for literacy programs from the event co-chair, Janet Berman.  (www.bookstock.info)

Then Syma finds out about the need for tutors to improve literacy in Detroit from Mary Jo Youngblood of Eastside Tutoring and Sherry McRill from the Jr. League of Detroit.  (www.jldetroit.org)

Finally Stephanie Barash, the events coordinator for the Sounds of Soul Poetry Slam, stops by to show how poetry is raising funds for the Chaldean Community Foundation. Martin Manna, Executive Director of the Foundation, joins her to explain how this group helps new immigrants adapt to a new country and new language.  (www.chaldeanfoundation.org)

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