{"id":10190,"date":"2025-08-18T15:28:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T19:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/planetwordmuseum.org\/events\/500-and-counting-a-freedom-reads-celebration\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T20:00:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T00:00:10","slug":"500-and-counting-a-freedom-reads-celebration","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/planetwordmuseum.org\/events\/500-and-counting-a-freedom-reads-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"500 and Counting! A Freedom Reads Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">How can reading foster inspiration and community even in the most uninspiring environments?&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dwaynebetts.com\/bio\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.dwaynebetts.com\/bio\">Reginald Dwayne Betts<\/a>&nbsp;is the founder and CEO of Freedom Reads<span style=\"font-weight: 700\">,<\/span>&nbsp;a first-of-its-kind organization that confronts the impact of prison on the spirit. In March, he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his release from prison \u2014 the spark from which Freedom Reads was ignited \u2014 and this fall, Freedom Reads celebrated the opening of the organization\u2019s 500th Freedom Library, each one built inside a prison.<\/p>\n<p style=\", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">In celebration of these milestones, Reginald Dwayne Betts joins Planet Word for a compelling talk and demonstration on how the power of books and literacy empowers us to build confidence and community in every space. Learn how Freedom Reads\u2019s innovative program, featuring beautifully handcrafted library displays, transforms prison cellblocks into \u201cFreedom Libraries.\u201d Finally, embark on a beautiful journey with Dwayne as he shares inspiring and joyful excerpts from his latest book of poetry,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.randomactofpoetry.com\/offers\/Aq2acqbd\/checkout\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.randomactofpoetry.com\/offers\/Aq2acqbd\/checkout\"><em>Doggerel<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">4:00 \u2013 5:00 p.m. \u2014 Talk, Excerpt Readings, and Q&amp;A (Auditorium)<br \/>5:00 \u2013 6:00 p.m. \u2014 Meet &amp; Greet and Freedom Library Show &amp; Tell (Mansard Room)&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">For questions or concerns regarding&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/planetwordmuseum.org\/accessibility\/\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/planetwordmuseum.org\/accessibility\/\">accessibility<\/a>&nbsp;needs, please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:programs@planetwordmuseum.org\" data-mce-href=\"mailto:programs@planetwordmuseum.org\">programs@planetwordmuseum.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":10191,"template":"","tags":[69],"class_list":["post-10190","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-featured","event_types-special-event"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>500 and Counting! 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