Summary

Erin Bailey talks with Denine Torr of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Alicia Levi of Reading Is Fundamental about why literacy access is a community responsibility. They discuss the long partnership between Dollar General and RIF, the specific barriers facing rural communities, the importance of books in homes and schools, and the role of motivation, confidence, and practice in developing skilled readers.

The conversation closes with practical ways listeners can support literacy through their time, talent, and treasure. Denine and Alicia share personal stories about the power of books, family reading, community programs, and the possibilities that open when children and adults have meaningful access to literacy.

Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome and introductions
• 1:01 — How reading shaped Alicia and Denine
• 5:37 — Why Dollar General made literacy a lasting commitment
• 7:39 — RIF and Dollar General’s long-term partnership
• 9:52 — Literacy access in rural communities
• 14:38 — Books, confidence, motivation, and practice
• 18:13 — Building literacy through community partnerships
• 24:22 — Remembering Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy
• 30:13 — Stories that show the power of books and family reading
• 36:20 — What listeners can do to support literacy
• 39:33 — What reading inspires

Show Notes

• **Denine Torr** — Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at Dollar General and Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. She leads philanthropic and social-responsibility efforts supporting communities nationwide and serves on several literacy and education boards.
• **Alicia Levi** — President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s leading children’s literacy organization. She has expanded RIF’s reach through literacy programs, digital resources, partnerships, and professional learning.
• Reading Is Fundamental: https://www.rif.org/
• Dollar General Literacy Foundation: https://www.dgliteracy.org/

This episode was produced for Reading Inspires.