A Celebration of Reading
A Celebration of Reading is our signature fundraiser. The unique program features bestselling authors who share their stories. Proceeds from the event fund literacy programs through the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Mrs. Bush personally created the event to shine the light on the importance of literacy and to celebrate the authors who educate, enrich, inspire, enthrall, entertain, and transform us through their books. The event has become one of Houston’s largest and beloved charity events, raising funds to provide vital literacy programs for children and adults through the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation.
Sponsorships and tickets information will be available September 2025.
Watch the 2025 A Celebration of Reading show featuring Nate Bargatze, H.W. Brands, Katherine Center, Kelsey Grammer, and Victoria Christopher Murray.
2026 Title Sponsor Recognition
We also wish to give special thanks to Phillips 66 for serving as Title Sponsor of A Celebration of Reading for the 11th year in a row. Their incredible commitment has spanned over a decade of difference-making for which we are deeply grateful.
A Celebration of Reading Community Impact
26M
Dollars Raised Since 2013
15,000+
Attendees Since 2013
24,500+
Households Watched Televised Program in 2024
2025 Celebration of Reading Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
ConocoPhillips
Gail & Greg Garland
John P. McGovern Foundation
Stavis Wealth Transfer Solutions
Gold Sponsors
Enbridge
ExxonMobil
H-E-B
Jakel/Duncan/Frishman/Ulrich & Trevino/Vincent
Laurie & Mark Lashier
Tenenbaum Jewelers
Stephanie & Frank Tsuru
Silver Sponsors
Chevron Phillips Chemical
Comcast
The Consulate General of the State of Qatar
Terri & Greg Ebel
Sarah & Will Farish/Mary & Dennis Johnston
Hess Corporation
The Hobby Center Foundation
Tami & Thomas Jorden
Elizabeth & Drayton McLane
Satya & Naveen Pandrangi
Bronze Sponsors
Toni Beck & Bill Yardley
Ginger Blanton & Regina Rogers
Cathy & Joe Cleary
Patricia & Sig Cornelius
Deloitte/Chronis/Yee
Julie Dill
EOG Resources
Ernst & Young
Sidney Faust/Betty & John Hrncir
Cherie & Jim Flores
Fayez Sarofim & Co.
Freeport LNG
Terri & John Havens
HCA Houston Healthcare
Susan & Earl Hesterberg
Light Charitable Trust
Janice S. McNair
Memorial Hermann
Marsha Montemayor
Nancy and Clive Runnells Foundation
John L. Nau, III
Phillips Family Foundation
Beverly & Jim Postl
Scholastic
Sue Smith
Strake Foundation
John Tobola & Dolores Cavatore
Quanta
Walters & Kazmann Families
Ward & Ames Special Events
Pearl Sponsors
Whitney & Matt Anderson
Shayna Andrews
Susan K. Bruch/The Joan and Marvin Kaplan Family Charitable Foundation
Gina & Joe Carroll
Emily Clay
Ann & Ben Clayton
Rosanette Cullen
Stephanie Deverka
Pat & Lon Edwards
Lesha & Tom Elsenbrook
Courtney & Zac Harmon
Julie & Keith Little
Anne McClellan, Ed.D.
Alice & Keith Mosing
Roxann & Tim Neumann
Nathalie & Charles Roff
Ruth J. Simmons
Colette & Minor Taylor
The Peter R. Coneway Family Foundation
Legacy Sponsors
Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
Boardwalk Pipelines/Stanley C. Horton
Bessemer Trust/Walter Montaigne
Minnie & Ed Cappel
Martha & Mark Carnes
CenterPoint Energy
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Crown Castle
Shelley & Mike Curry
Jess & Cary Dunham
Melissa & Bob Duran
The Evans & Portela Family
Jay & Todd Fairley/Jane & Rick Jones
Julie & Ron Finck
Lily & Charles Foster/Pat & David Jones
Lisa & Ray Garcia
George & Barbara Bush Foundation
Robert Givens and Family, in Honor of Grace Givens
Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Joanie & Don Haley
HCA Houston Healthcare West
Janet Horton
Houston Methodist
Insperity
Jacob Jabs/American Furniture Warehouse
Keith Wing Builders
Terri Lacy & Jim Baird
Lang Family Foundation
Legacy Community Health
Mary Lynn Marks
Million Dollar Book Club
Kevin Mitchell
Sally & Charles Neblett
Oxy
Melissa Patin & Cathy Green
Perry Homes Foundation
PNC
Mary Ellen & Scott Prochazka
Eric Romero & Alicia Calhoun
PSA Lighting & Controls
Christin Stewart
Y. Ping Sun & David Lebron
Tarantino Properties
University of Houston - ACES Institute
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Karla & Greg Vesey
Jen & Brian Wilson
What people are saying…
“It has been an honor and a privilege to collaborate with the Bush family for the past 29 years to produce A Celebration of Reading in Houston and its first 10 years in Dallas and D.C. We have witnessed firsthand extraordinarily talented authors and entertainers give freely to make the event spectacular, and applaud the unwavering commitment of the Foundation for enforcing Barbara Bush’s mission of literacy for all.”
— Danny Ward & Nancy Ames, Founders - Ward & Ames Special Events
“Phillips 66 has been proud to serve as title sponsor of A Celebration of Reading for the past eight years – a unique, inspiring charity event that highlights the important cause of literacy. We always look forward to the uplifting celebration and its outstanding lineup of bestselling authors.”
— Mark Lashier, President and CEO of Phillips 66
A Celebration of Reading Over the Years
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Power of Literacy Luncheon
The 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon occurred on Friday, October 10, 2025, at The Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston, with feature iconic actor and New York Times bestselling author, Tom Selleck as our distinguished keynote speaker.
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Storybook Gala
Join us for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's annual Storybook Gala hosted by the Young Professionals Group on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Union Station in Daikin Park. This year's gala promises to be an unforgettable evening inspired by the classic romance of Romeo and Juliet.