News
See where Blue Ridge Literacy is in the community with recent press coverage, events, and announcements!
May 2022
BRL Board President Recognized
Congratulations to BRL Board President, Elvir Berbic, for receiving Virginia Western Community College's 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award!
February 2022
BRL Featured in Cardinal News
Thank you Michael Hemphill and Cardinal News for showcasing BRL in your recent story Learning How To Write Love Letters (Or Deal With The DMV).
January 2021
Office of the New Americans
Ahoo Salem, Executive Director, has been selected to serve on the Governor's Office of the New Americans Advisory Board
June 2, 2019
Salem is New BRL Director
That's right! Blue Ridge Literacy has a new Executive Director. Ahoo Salem is originally from Iran and has been involved with BRL since 2016 as a volunteer teacher. Read more here!
February 15, 2019
14th Scrabble Tourney
Growing Up in the Valley Magazine hosts BRL on morning show Living Local to talk about how we help adults learn English and our upcoming 14th Annual Scrabble Tournament
November 27, 2018
FFCU Awards $5,000 Grant
Blue Ridge Literacy receives Freedom First Credit Union's Community Investment Grant. These funds will go towards supporting BRL's citizenship program.
September 13, 2018
RPL and BRL Team Up
Blue Ridge Literacy talks with Natalie Founce on Daytime Blue Ridge about upcoming Welcoming Week and Literacy Month events in partnership with the Roanoke Public Libraries.
July 5, 2018
BRL is a Safe Space for All
BRL spoke with Lezla Gooden of WSLS10 about the effect that ongoing immigration policy changes has had on BRL and some of our refugee and immigrant literacy learners.
March 22, 2018
Another Scrabble Success
BRL's 13th Annual Scrabble Tournament, presented by HomeTrust Bank, included over 35 teams and raised over $8,000 for literacy efforts in the Roanoke Valley.
December 2021
BRL Receives Grant
We are honored to receive the Freedom First Community Investment Grant. See the media coverage: WDBJ7, WSLS-10, Roanoker Magazine, Opera News
May/June 2019
Immigrants in Roanoke
The Roanoker's May/June 2019 edition features three stories on the influence that immigrants and refugees have in our region, featuring a BRL Board Member. Check out the stories here!
February 8, 2019
Fundraiser for Literacy!
Did you see JoAnne Poindexter's article in the Roanoke Times about BRL's 2019 Scrabble Tourney Fundraiser? New location, catered meal, and lots of fun--all for literacy!
September 5, 2018
BRL and LVNRV on WFXR
BRL went on WFXR's morning show, Living Local, with community partner Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley to promote Literacy Month events throughout September.
July 1, 2018
New Board Members
BRL brought on 7 new Directors, including Shelia Umberger, Alicha Grubb, Sissy Kegley, Evelyne Nzikobanyanka, Elvir Berbic, Kat Pascal, and Baraka Kasongo.
March 14, 2018
RVGives Day Exceeds Goal
You raised $2,795 for BRL during Roanoke Valley Gives Day 2018, an initiative of the Foundation for Roanoke Valley! Funds will be used to purchase new ESOL textbooks.
February 2022
BRL Featured in Cardinal News
During the month of February: when you purchase this bracelet, BRL receives $10.00! Thank you to our friends at Southwest Native for selecting BRL as their February Cause+Effect non-profit.
June 2021
The Little Library
Our thanks to The Roanoke Times, The Roanoke Star News, and WSLS-10 for their coverage of our latest project! The box is located outside of Center in the Square, where anyone may take a book or share a book.
March 8, 2019
Support Literacy Learners
We joined our friends from Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley to talk about our upcoming Scrabble fundraisers on Daytime Blue Ridge. Get in on the fun March 21 and April 4!
December 12, 2018
DBR Highlights Literacy
Executive Director, Stephanie Holladay, talks with Daytime Blue Ridge about the impact literacy services have on adults in the Roanoke Valley.
November 1, 2018
Small Business of the Year
BRL was honored to receive the 2018 Small Business Award in the Not For Profit: Micro category from the Chamber of Commerce. This award is given annually in several categories.