Peace in the Pages 2024

Our 2024 event, held on Oct. 2 at EverBank Stadium, was named the 2024 Peace in the Pages in Honor of Roseann Duran, one of many recognitions for Roseann’s transformational, $565,000 legacy gift to READ USA.

 

“Roseann’s extraordinary generosity will have a far-reaching impact on literacy and community empowerment, significantly bolstering our efforts to provide high-interest books and high-quality teaching resources to children, teens, and teachers,” said Dr. Rob Kelly, READ USA President & CEO. “Roseann was a passionate supporter of literacy and READ USA for many years, and we remain emboldened by her steadfast belief in our mission. We are eternally grateful for her investment in the students we serve who ultimately benefit from her extraordinary gift.”

 

Roseann, who passed away in 2024, leaves behind an indelible legacy on Northeast Florida through her philanthropy, volunteerism, and professional accomplishments that have inspired and supported thousands of people across all walks of life. Her highly successful career traversed the finance and marketing industries, throughout all of which Duran remained grounded in supporting the people within her organizations and across Northeast Florida’s many communities. A natural leader, she was tenacious about community involvement, both professionally and personally, and gave extensively of her time, talent, and treasure to numerous organizations in Jacksonville, which she called home since 1973. Her full obituary is accessible here.

 

“Roseann radiated kindness, empathy, peace, freedom, leadership, and success – the very values that underscore the meaning and purpose behind our Peace in the Pages event and all that we do at READ USA,” said Ellen Wiss, READ USA Board Chair. “To know Roseann and feel her zest for life was an immense blessing, and she will be remembered as someone who has had a transformational impact on countless lives in Northeast Florida for years to come.”

 

READ USA was honored to recognize the immense contributions of the following individuals to literacy, education, and pursuing equal access to opportunity for everyone in our community:

 

• READ to Lead Award: Patricia McElroy, President of the VyStar Foundation and Senior Vice President of VyStar Credit Union
• READ to Succeed Award: Caleb Johnson, Linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars
• READ to be Free Award: Ronnie Gadio, READ USA Tutor
• READ to Heal Award: Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and CEO, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
• READ to Remember Award: Sherry Magill, Ph.D., Retired President, Jessie Ball duPont Fund
• Marjorie Broward Memorial Scholarship Award: Katie Adkins, Principal, Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary
• Mark Landen Memorial Award for Democracy through Journalism: Tenikka Hughes, Anchor, Action News Jax

 

 

Whitney Meyer, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer, Jacksonville Jaguars

 

Brian Wolfburg, President and CEO, VyStar Credit Union

Brian Wolfburg has been a long-time supporter and advocate for READ USA and literacy in our community and has led VyStar Credit Union to become a philanthropic powerhouse in the many communities it serves, particularly in our own back yard. Many thanks to Brian for lending his voice and time to READ USA! Read more about Brian here and you can watch a READ USA video featuring his family here.

Kemal Gasper, Vice President of Community Engagement, VyStar Credit Union

Kemal Gasper served as our Co-Emcee for our 2024 Peace in the Pages event but for years has supported the mission of READ USA. Kemal was instrumental in the creation of the partnership between VyStar Credit Union and The City of Jacksonville’s Mayor’s Youth At Work Program that provides READ USA tutors the ability to establish membership and learn effective money management habits with a local credit union. Read more about this program here.