About this Event
Join Us in Celebrating the 20th Birthday of Books from Birth!
The 2025 Books from Birth Spring Luncheon raises support for early literacy initiatives at Porter-Leath! Books from Birth creates literacy connections for families, which inspire nurturing bonds between caregivers and children. As a result, these bonds yield lasting, positive results that extend beyond early childhood. It promotes kindergarten readiness and strengthens families in Shelby County by providing monthly, age-appropriate books for children from birth to age five.
Join us as celebrate our 20th birthday and learn more about the power of literacy at Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth Spring Luncheon on May 8th. Doors open at 11:30 A.M and the program will begin at 12:00 PM.
2025 Books from Birth Spring Luncheon Speaker
Dr. Mario Brown, Chief Talent Officer at First Horizon
Dr. Mario Brown is a native Memphian, who, at an early age, caught an eye for social responsibility through the ministry at his church, St. Joseph’s in the Whitehaven community of Memphis. These early insights provided the foundation for a life of continuous learning.
Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering Technology and a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Higher and Adult Education from The University of Memphis where he has been bestowed the select of honor of being a distinguished alumnus.
He is a highly accomplished and visionary leader in the realm of talent development with over two decades of experience. His body of work has garnered a reputation for his ability to identify, nurture and harness talent to drive organizational success. Known for his curiosity and passion of developing people, he has successfully implemented multi-award winning experiences that foster associate growth, engagement and retention. The results have yielded numerous stories of people realizing more of the possibilities they have within their lives. In 2017, Brown was selected as a speaker for TEDx where he shared his ideas on “The Possibility of People”, as a reflection of his purpose of life. Today, he continues to lead from purpose and live in gratitude by assisting with the development of talent for the more than 7,000 associates of First Horizon and many members of the Memphis community.
Brown is grounded with the assistance of many people, most importantly his wife, Bridget, and his three kids, Maya, Laila and Zeke.
Books from Birth Impact - Over 7 Million Books Mailed Since 2005
Over 36,000, an estimated 57%, of Shelby County children from birth to 5 years old are currently enrolled in Books from Birth.
Positive Growth = Continued Funding Need
Porter-Leath's Books from Birth, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, builds a foundation for reading and learning through books for Shelby County’s children, but books are not free.
After negotiating low book costs and generous assistance, the total annual program costs $21 per child per year.
Since Porter-Leath's Books from Birth Program distributes books to over 36,000 children per month at no cost to Shelby County children, our fundraising needs are tremendous and increase as we enroll more children. Books from Birth depends on support from individuals and organizations to continue purchasing and mailing books to our community.
About this Event
Join Us in Celebrating the 20th Birthday of Books from Birth!
The 2025 Books from Birth Spring Luncheon raises support for early literacy initiatives at Porter-Leath! Books from Birth creates literacy connections for families, which inspire nurturing bonds between caregivers and children. As a result, these bonds yield lasting, positive results that extend beyond early childhood. It promotes kindergarten readiness and strengthens families in Shelby County by providing monthly, age-appropriate books for children from birth to age five.
Join us as celebrate our 20th birthday and learn more about the power of literacy at Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth Spring Luncheon on May 8th. Doors open at 11:30 A.M and the program will begin at 12:00 PM.
2025 Books from Birth Spring Luncheon Speaker
Dr. Mario Brown, Chief Talent Officer at First Horizon
Dr. Mario Brown is a native Memphian, who, at an early age, caught an eye for social responsibility through the ministry at his church, St. Joseph’s in the Whitehaven community of Memphis. These early insights provided the foundation for a life of continuous learning.
Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering Technology and a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Higher and Adult Education from The University of Memphis where he has been bestowed the select of honor of being a distinguished alumnus.
He is a highly accomplished and visionary leader in the realm of talent development with over two decades of experience. His body of work has garnered a reputation for his ability to identify, nurture and harness talent to drive organizational success. Known for his curiosity and passion of developing people, he has successfully implemented multi-award winning experiences that foster associate growth, engagement and retention. The results have yielded numerous stories of people realizing more of the possibilities they have within their lives. In 2017, Brown was selected as a speaker for TEDx where he shared his ideas on “The Possibility of People”, as a reflection of his purpose of life. Today, he continues to lead from purpose and live in gratitude by assisting with the development of talent for the more than 7,000 associates of First Horizon and many members of the Memphis community.
Brown is grounded with the assistance of many people, most importantly his wife, Bridget, and his three kids, Maya, Laila and Zeke.
Books from Birth Impact - Over 7 Million Books Mailed Since 2005
Over 36,000, an estimated 57%, of Shelby County children from birth to 5 years old are currently enrolled in Books from Birth.
Positive Growth = Continued Funding Need
Porter-Leath's Books from Birth, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, builds a foundation for reading and learning through books for Shelby County’s children, but books are not free.
After negotiating low book costs and generous assistance, the total annual program costs $21 per child per year.
Since Porter-Leath's Books from Birth Program distributes books to over 36,000 children per month at no cost to Shelby County children, our fundraising needs are tremendous and increase as we enroll more children. Books from Birth depends on support from individuals and organizations to continue purchasing and mailing books to our community.