A Leaders Publications Initiative
The Legacy Read Program
Getting our books into schools and libraries so children see positive role models who share their neighborhoods, their names, and their faces — proof that excellence is not distant, it is local.
- 12,000+
- Books pledged to schools and libraries
- 1 in 4
- Children who never see a book with a leader who looks like them
- 100%
- Of sponsored books delivered at no cost to schools
Why it matters
A child cannot aspire to what a child has never seen. Our annual editions document doctors, judges, educators, entrepreneurs, and public servants who came out of the very same neighborhoods, schools, and churches our students do today. Placed on a classroom shelf, that book stops being a keepsake and becomes a map.
The Legacy Read Program puts those editions where children already are — school libraries, classroom reading corners, after-school programs, and public library branches — and then brings the honorees themselves into the room.
Books in Classrooms
Each sponsored set places our annual editions in a teacher's hands, paired with a discussion guide built for grades 4–12.
Shelves in Libraries
Public and school libraries receive permanent, cataloged copies so any child can find them, any day of the year.
Honorees in the Room
Featured leaders return to schools for reading hours and career talks — the role model is not just on the page.
Scholar Recognition
Participating schools nominate student leaders for our annual Youth Legacy feature and certificate.
How it works
From sponsor to student, in four steps
- 01
A school, library, or educator requests books
Any Title I school, public library, or youth program is eligible — no cost to the school.
- 02
A sponsor funds a set
Individuals, honorees, churches, and businesses fund classroom, library, or district sets.
- 03
We deliver and dedicate
Books ship with discussion guides and sponsor bookplates, and we schedule a reading hour.
- 04
Children meet the leaders
Featured honorees visit for reading hours and career talks throughout the school year.
Sponsor a set
Every sponsorship is fulfilled at cost — no school, library, or family is ever charged. Sponsors receive a bookplate in each copy and a delivery report naming the schools served.
Classroom Set
10 books
$250
- 10 copies of a current edition
- Printed discussion guide for the teacher
- Sponsor bookplate in every copy
School Library Set
25 books
$600
- 25 copies across the school's library and classrooms
- Discussion guides and reading-hour toolkit
- One honoree visit or virtual reading hour
- Sponsor recognition on this page
District Partnership
100 books
$2,200
- 100 copies distributed across multiple campuses
- Full-year honoree speaker series (3 visits)
- Youth Legacy student nomination slots
- Recognition in the next printed edition
No payment is taken online. We'll confirm your sponsorship by email and send an invoice along with the schools slated to receive your books.
For educators & librarians
Request books for your school
Public schools, charter schools, church schools, public library branches, and youth programs may request a set at no cost. Requests are matched to sponsors in the order received, with priority given to Title I campuses and library branches in underserved parishes.
- No cost to the school, library, or program
- Discussion guides written for grades 4–12
- Optional honoree reading hour or career talk
- Youth Legacy student nomination slots
Start a request
Send us your school or library name, city, grade levels served, and the number of students you hope to reach. Our education team responds within five business days.
Email the education teamPrefer to nominate a school you know? Tell us about it and we'll reach out to their administration directly.