READ SEATTLE PRESENTS "SENTENCED" DOCUMENTARY SCREENING Community-Wide Initiative Aims to Address Literacy \Crisis in Seattle Public Schools

SEATTLE, WA - Read Seattle, a community-driven literacy movement, will host a special screening of the documentary film "Sentenced" on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Holgate Street Church of Christ (2600 S. Holgate Street, Seattle).

Executive produced and narrated by NBA star Steph Curry, "Sentenced" offers an immersive exploration of childhood illiteracy through a series of character-driven stories. The documentary presents the perspectives of ethnically diverse adults and children who have never learned to read, illustrating how literacy can break cycles of generational poverty.

The screening comes at a critical time for Seattle's education system. According to the Seattle Public Schools' October 2024 Audit report, only 60% of SPS 3rd graders are reading at grade-level proficiency. The statistics are even more alarming for BIPOC students (40% proficiency) and Black male students (28% proficiency).

"72% of Black males in the 3rd grade aren't reading at their grade level. While these results are shocking, they aren't new," said Roy Chang of School Connect Washington, a member of the Read Seattle Community Coalition. "The reading proficiency levels for BIPOC and Black male students have been low for decades. It's time to act and reverse the trend. The future of our kids depends on it."

The primary goal of the event is to recruit reading tutors and connect volunteers with local nonprofits making a real difference in children's literacy. The event will feature information tables from various literacy organizations, providing attendees with immediate opportunities to get involved.

Read Seattle is a collaborative initiative powered by a coalition of organizations including the Seattle 4 Rotary Club, School Connect Washington, Reading Partners, Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity (RARE), the Children's Literacy Project, Bethany Community Church, AYLC, the Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning, and the Black Child Development Institute (BCDI) Seattle.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.readseattle.org/sentencedfilm.

For more information about Read Seattle and how to get involved, visit