Brunch on Purpose Fundraiser: Snow Outside, Momentun Inside
- WLC
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Brunch on Purpose brought warmth, community, and momentum to a snowy Sunday in D.C. More than 50 friends of Washington Literacy Center attended an event hosted by Marie and Wendell Johns to celebrate the power of adult education and to invest in the District’s residents who want a stronger future.
Marie Johns welcomed guests and thanked everyone for showing up despite the weather, underscoring why this work matters in a city that can feel like a tale of two cities. Throughout the afternoon, one message became clear: when adults acquire stronger reading, math, and job skills, families and neighborhoods also become stronger.
Guests heard from Councilmembers Matt Frumin (Ward 3), Robert White (At-Large), and Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4), along with WLC Board Chair Candace Cunningham and WLC President & CEO Jimmie Williams. We were also honored to have Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and Oye Owolewa, D.C. Shadow Representative, in attendance.
Speakers highlighted the urgent need to support the estimated 179,000 adults in D.C. with reading and math skills below a first-grade level, and the proven impact that happens when the community steps up with resources, partnerships, and encouragement.
The most powerful moments came from WLC participants and graduates. Joseph, a young adult in one of WLC’s reading programs, shared an emotional reflection on how hard daily life felt when he struggled to read, from street signs to job applications. He told the room, “This program has changed my life and how I move through the world.”
We also heard from graduates of WLC’s Learning Skills for Life: Professional Bartending Program, who shared that the program is about far more than bartending. Along with hands-on training, they gained financial literacy, customer service skills, life skills, and entrepreneurial confidence, which opened doors to employment and new opportunities. Kevin Cotton (winner of the Diageo Cocktail Competition) and Amber Russell served both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options and spoke about what it meant to learn skills that translate into real stability and career growth.
Because of the generosity in that room and beyond, Brunch on Purpose has already raised nearly $25,000, and gifts are still coming in. We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, made introductions, and encouraged others to give.
A strong host committee helped make the event possible, including civic, philanthropic, and business leaders such as Kimberly Bassett, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Mignon Clyburn, Derron Parks, Angie Gates, Reverend Thomas Bowen, and many others. And we are not done yet. Several host committee members have encouraged us to keep the momentum going, so we are extending fundraising through the end of January with a working goal of reaching $50,000.
If you were inspired by what you heard, please consider making a gift and sharing the link with a friend. Every contribution helps WLC expand access to tutoring, workforce training, and pathways to opportunity for D.C. residents.
Thank you again to everyone who showed up, gave generously, and continues to support Washington Literacy Center.
About the Washington Literacy Center
The Washington Literacy Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults in the District of Columbia through literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and workforce development. WLC serves adults who have been historically underserved by traditional education systems, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to pursue further education, secure meaningful employment, and support their families.
For more information, visit washlit.org or contact info@washlit.org or call (202) 984-0000.
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