Speaker Series

The Open Book Society Speaker Series

Open Book Society Members get to participate in a unique learning experience through the Open Book Society Speaker Series. Each event has a “book club” format where Members can join local civic leaders in a discussion of a wide range of topics while also finding connections of those topics to adult literacy and adult education.

The Open Book Society Speaker Series embraces the idea that we can all increase our literacy in many areas. Events include a featured speaker who will join Literacy Alliance President & CEO, Marcus Haile, in a “fireside chat” about their topic and its relevance to the Literacy Alliance’s mission. Speakers will also highlight their favorite book that is meaningful to their topic. Each featured speaker is charged with sharing their story, discussing a topic of their interest, and connecting that topic (whatever it is) with adult literacy and adult education.

See the Speaker Series calendar below and join today!

Dr. Dana Kriznar and Dr. Diana Greene

The two most recent past Superintendents of Duval County Public Schools share their insights about public education and connections with adult education.

MaliVai Washington

Former professional tennis champion MaliVai Washinton discusses the connection with youth development, adult education and family literacy that he has observed as founder of the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation.

Daniel Davis

Join Daniel Davis, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in a dialogue about the importance of adult literacy and adult education to a strong workforce and talent pipeline.

Glenn Ullmann

Hear from Glenn Ullmann, founder of Ullmann Wealth Partners about the state of giving and philanthropy as 2026 comes to a close.