About this Event
The 2026 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 to celebrate the power of literacy at Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth Spring Luncheon on May 7th. Doors open at 11:30 A.M and the program will begin at 12:00 PM.
We are delighted to announce that this year's keynote speaker will be David Pickler.
David A. Pickler is an award-winning wealth advisor and attorney, and serves as President and CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors, Pickler Law, and Co-Founder of Pickler Accounting in Collierville, Tennessee. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of APEF. David has built his personal and professional life on the principles of civic leadership, public education advocacy, and philanthropic investment.
David was a member of the first-elected Shelby County Board of Education, having been elected in 1998. He served on the Board for 16 years and was the School Board Chairman for 12 years, from 1999-2011. David also served as President of the Tennessee School Boards Association, and in 2013 became the President of the National School Boards Association. Upon his retirement from elected office, David founded APEF to serve the interest of America’s public-school children in two key areas: financial literacy and workforce development.
David serves multiple organizations in various leadership roles including Porter-Leath, The Orpheum Theatre, Arkansas State University Foundation, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, and the Chickasaw Council, Scouting America.
In 2026, David became an Advisory Committee member for InvestmentNews’ Expert Advice columns, regularly contributing thought pieces on finance and leadership. In 2025, Pickler Wealth Advisors was recognized as a 5-Star Wealth Management Team by InvestmentNews, and David Pickler received the distinction of Top Advisor—a prestigious dual honor from the publication. In addition, David was named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, further affirming his leadership and impact in the financial industry. His achievements in 2024 included being named a Pillar of Excellence by the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, highlighting his longstanding commitment to both professional excellence and community service. A three-time Charitable Champion recognized by Invest in Others, David also earned their 2019 Catalyst Award for his exceptional philanthropic contributions. Pickler Wealth Advisors was named Small Business of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal in 2021 and secured a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies that same year.
David is the author of Pillars of Purpose: Leadership Lessons for Achieving a Life of Significance, a collection of personal stories that lay out a detailed, step-by-step process of how to build a life of significance.
Books from Birth Impact - Learning to Read, Reading to Learn
Over 36,000 Shelby County children from birth to 5 years old are currently enrolled in Books from Birth. Each book is an opportunity for children to practice sight words, language development, colors, numbers and more, helping become ready for kindergarten.
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 $25 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
The 2026 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 to celebrate the power of literacy at Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth Spring Luncheon on May 7th. Doors open at 11:30 A.M and the program will begin at 12:00 PM.
We are delighted to announce that this year's keynote speaker will be David Pickler.
David A. Pickler is an award-winning wealth advisor and attorney, and serves as President and CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors, Pickler Law, and Co-Founder of Pickler Accounting in Collierville, Tennessee. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of APEF. David has built his personal and professional life on the principles of civic leadership, public education advocacy, and philanthropic investment.
David was a member of the first-elected Shelby County Board of Education, having been elected in 1998. He served on the Board for 16 years and was the School Board Chairman for 12 years, from 1999-2011. David also served as President of the Tennessee School Boards Association, and in 2013 became the President of the National School Boards Association. Upon his retirement from elected office, David founded APEF to serve the interest of America’s public-school children in two key areas: financial literacy and workforce development.
David serves multiple organizations in various leadership roles including Porter-Leath, The Orpheum Theatre, Arkansas State University Foundation, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, and the Chickasaw Council, Scouting America.
In 2026, David became an Advisory Committee member for InvestmentNews’ Expert Advice columns, regularly contributing thought pieces on finance and leadership. In 2025, Pickler Wealth Advisors was recognized as a 5-Star Wealth Management Team by InvestmentNews, and David Pickler received the distinction of Top Advisor—a prestigious dual honor from the publication. In addition, David was named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, further affirming his leadership and impact in the financial industry. His achievements in 2024 included being named a Pillar of Excellence by the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, highlighting his longstanding commitment to both professional excellence and community service. A three-time Charitable Champion recognized by Invest in Others, David also earned their 2019 Catalyst Award for his exceptional philanthropic contributions. Pickler Wealth Advisors was named Small Business of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal in 2021 and secured a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies that same year.
David is the author of Pillars of Purpose: Leadership Lessons for Achieving a Life of Significance, a collection of personal stories that lay out a detailed, step-by-step process of how to build a life of significance.
Books from Birth Impact - Learning to Read, Reading to Learn
Over 36,000 Shelby County children from birth to 5 years old are currently enrolled in Books from Birth. Each book is an opportunity for children to practice sight words, language development, colors, numbers and more, helping become ready for kindergarten.
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 $25 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.