Macon youth literacy lower than state average. Why a burger shop wants to help change that

A fast-food restaurant is becoming an ally to a local organization striving to raise literacy rates throughout Macon.

Equality Enterprises is attempting to raise $3,000 to make renovations on a building they hope to turn into a bookstore that raises youth literacy rates in Macon. A local Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers location has decided it wants to help with a fundraiser on April 22.

Carl Myers, community activist and Equality Enterprises founder, said the donations will go toward renting and renovating a building in the Greenwood Bottom area into Equality Cafe, a bookstore with the mission of raising youth literacy rates in Macon and offering a secure learning environment.

“We just want to create a safe space for the youth that focuses on reading because literacy is very poor among our community,” he said. “We want to help kids learn how to read and have more interest in reading.”

Only 40% of fourth graders in the Bibb County School District read at or above their grade level, compared to a state average of 57%, according to the Georgia Department of Education’s Reading Readiness Dashboard.

The dashboard also shows that only 47% of all Bibb County students are reading at or above grade levels in American literature, compared to the state’s 67% average.

State officials are also working to increase Bibb County reading scores, as the state Department of Education aims to place full-time literacy coaches in eight elementary schools throughout the district by the next academic school year.

Equality Cafe will also provide mentorship for all Macon-Bibb youth, including a community green space, open lawn congregation and fine coffee, Myers said.

Myers said he and the youth would manage the bookstore, as well as receive help from other youth-based programs like Fathers Among Men and R.I.S.E.

Fathers Among Men is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering fathers who serve and mentor Macon-Bibb’s young men. The Restoring Inspiration by Success and Education program offers free services to Macon youth who have been impacted by trauma and violence.

“My thing is having as much positive people in the building when it caters to the youth,” he said. “The goal is to have after-school program so they can get help with their reading and homework.”

Freddy’s General Manager Cortez Mason said Myers’ history of community work aligns with the restaurant’s mission.

“One of our pillars that we believe in is hospitality and that’s what we plan on doing at the day of the fundraiser, just giving out great-quality food and helping in a nice environment,” he said.

Myers said he hopes the community will support the event because “a lot of our youth have nothing to do over the weekend or after school, so this will be another safe space for them to get educated.”

The bookstore’s building will be funded by 15% of Freddy’s proceeds. The restaurant is located at 6239 Zebulon Road.

Community supporters can also donate to the bookstore through its GoFundMe page, which shows the group has raised $155 to its $3,000 goal so far.