Southwest Florida – Sunday, February 2, 2025
Lydia-Joi Holloway, an eighth-grade National Junior Honor Society student at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School, Secretary of the Southwest Florida Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.’s Teen Auxiliary, and active J.O.Y. (Jesus Ordered Youth) member of Jesus Christ outreach Center, hosted the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for her Little Free Neighborhood Library at the Legacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc.
The event was a tremendous success, with approximately 50 guests in attendance and over 200 books generously donated by community members, family, and friends from near and far.
The outpouring of support was so overwhelming that Lydia’s father, Attorney James Holloway, built a second Little Free Library to accommodate the growing collection of books. Now, even more children and families in the community will have access to free books, encouraging a love of reading for years to come.
Lydia-Joi, who received a grant from the Impact Library Program to bring this initiative to life, expressed her gratitude and vision for the project during her speech:
“I want to thank the Impact Library Program for their support in making this dream a reality. As we cut this ribbon today, I hope this library inspires every child who visits it to explore new worlds, dream big, and never stop learning. Let’s work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to read, grow, and reach their full potential.”
A Community United for Literacy
Several distinguished guests and community leaders attended the ceremony in support of Lydia-Joi’s initiative, including:
- Bishop Halsey and Dr. Linda Watkins, Founders and Pastors of Jesus Christ Outreach Center
- Mayor Kevin Anderson, City of Fort Myers
- Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown, Ward 1, City of Fort Myers
- Councilwoman Diana Giraldo, Ward 4, City of Fort Myers
- Michelle Hylton-Terry, Executive Director, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency
- Debbie Jordan, School Board Member, Lee County
- Jason Fields, Chief, Fort Myers Police Department
- Tracy McMillion, Chief, Fort Myers Fire Department
- Attorney Joe North and Mrs. Benita North, The North Law Firm
- Dr. Shadreka McIntosh, Sozo Wellness Center & Pharmacy
- Chantel Rhodes, Counselor, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School
- Southwest Florida Jack and Jill Teen Auxiliary Executive Board Members:
- Jayden, President
- Chloe McIntosh, Vice President
- Johnathan Tobler, Treasurer
Their attendance underscored the importance of this initiative and the powerful impact it will have on literacy and education in Southwest Florida.
A Mother’s Pride and a Lesson in Leadership
Lydia’s mother, Autumn Watkins Holloway, shared how proud she and her husband James are of their daughter’s commitment to giving back to her community.
“When Lydia first expressed interest in making a difference, she was a little nervous about writing a grant. But working through this process with her—from writing the proposal to planning the installation and today’s ceremony—has been an incredible learning experience. Seeing her vision come to life has been inspiring, and I know this is just the beginning of her impact.”
This initiative comes at a critical time. According to a recent National Report Card on Literacy, U.S. children have continued to fall behind in reading skills following the COVID-19 pandemic. The data shows that while high-achieving students are recovering, lower-performing students are struggling more than ever, deepening educational inequalities.
A New Initiative: Read to Lead Leadership Academy
In response to this urgent need for literacy support, Autumn Watkins Holloway announced a new initiative through the Legacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc., which operates as the DBA of JCOC Christian Preparatory Academy, a nonprofit she founded in 2007. Originally established as a Kindergarten Academy, the organization has expanded its mission to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders across Southwest Florida.
“After seeing Lydia’s initiative come to life and reviewing the latest literacy data, I knew that our first priority had to be literacy,” said Watkins Holloway. “I’m excited to announce that we will launch the ‘Read to Lead Leadership Academy’ this summer for middle and high school students.”
The Read to Lead Leadership Academy will focus on:
- Enhancing literacy skills
- Developing leadership potential
- Providing mentorship opportunities
The program will empower students with the confidence and skills they need to succeed academically and beyond.
A Call for Community Support
To ensure that the Read to Lead Leadership Academy is accessible to all students, the Legacy Center is seeking community support. Those interested in:
- Volunteering their time as mentors
- Providing financial sponsorships for student scholarships
- Donating educational materials
are encouraged to reach out and get involved.
A Celebration of Literacy and Legacy
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed cookies and lemonade and took an impromptu tour of the Legacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Lydia-Joi’s Little Free Neighborhood Library stands as a testament to the power of youth leadership, community collaboration, and the importance of literacy. Her efforts have not only provided free books to children but have also inspired a movement to promote reading and education in Southwest Florida.
For more information about the Legacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc. or to support the Read to Lead Leadership Academy, please contact: LegacyCenterSWFL@gmail.com
Media Contact: Autumn Watkins Holloway, Founder and Executive Director, Legacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc., Autumn@HollowayCG.com or call 239-898-7577.
