Eat. Learn. Play. Announces the Release of From Struggle to Strength: Advancing Literacy in Oakland

The Documentary Marks One of Three Short Documentaries the Foundation Plans to Release Surrounding the Work Being Done to Transform the School Experience Throughout Oakland Public Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oakland, CA – February 3, 2025

Eat. Learn. Play., founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry, is proud to announce the release of its first short documentary, From Struggle to Strength: Advancing Literacy in Oakland. This powerful 20-minute film sheds light on the critical need for literacy interventions in Oakland’s public schools while celebrating the transformative work of the foundation’s literacy initiatives. There is nothing more essential to a child’s opportunities in life than the ability to read well, but in Oakland, 85% of Black and Latino/a elementary students are not reading at third grade reading levels. 

As part of a series of documentaries showcasing their work with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the film illustrates the challenges and triumphs of advancing literacy in local schools. With compelling stories of individual student success, it underscores the power of personalized, high-dosage tutoring to raise reading proficiency and foster confidence, motivation, and a love of learning.

From Struggle to Strength highlights Eat. Learn. Play.’s role as a vital partner and “dot connector,” ensuring that students in Oakland have access to the resources they need to thrive. This documentary emphasizes the foundation’s belief that literacy is fundamental to life success and its commitment to empowering a generation of Oakland students to become confident readers and future leaders.

“I believe literacy is the civil rights issue of our time. It’s why the first initiative of our Strategic Plan is ‘Ensuring Strong Readers by the Third Grade,’ illustrating how important literacy is to Oakland, and to the futures of all of our students,” said OUSD Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell. “From Struggle To Strength beautifully encapsulates our literacy efforts, partnered with the remarkable support provided by Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. By getting a glimpse of the lives of Damiyah, Jude, and Ariyah, and meeting some of the people who work with them, the viewer gains an intimate understanding of the challenges many students face with reading. The documentary also shows the heart and commitment of our educators, the dedication of our students to their studies, and it quantifies the transformational help that Eat. Learn. Play. is giving our young readers. We thank the Curry family and their foundation for giving so much to the children of Oakland.”

In 2024, Eat. Learn. Play. pledged a $25 million investment over five years to deliver one-on-one tutoring for 10,000 students, in addition to providing critical support for small group tutoring to thousands of Oakland students annually. This investment will provide Oakland students with the high-quality, personalized support they need to become strong, confident readers. Eat. Learn. Play. believes that every child should be given the opportunity and support to reach their full potential.

 “This documentary shines a light on the challenges so many students face and the incredible progress they can achieve when given the right support,” said Chris Helfrich, CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. “Our investment in literacy is an investment in the future of our children and our community. Together, we’re creating a model for how we can address the national literacy crisis, one student at a time.”

Eat. Learn. Play. is ensuring all Oakland elementary school students have the support and resources needed to become proficient readers by the end of third grade, with an emphasis on providing literacy tutoring for all students in need, in addition to making culturally-affirming books available to all students. Together with their partners, they will continue to spread the joy of reading by distributing one million books to Oakland students and families through a variety of channels, including the Eat. Learn. Play. Bus and Little Town Libraries programs, restocking school libraries, hosting free school book fairs in elementary schools, and more. 

From Struggle to Strength: Advancing Literacy in Oakland will be released online on Saturday, January 30 on Eat. Learn. Play.’s YouTube channel. To view the short-form documentary, please visit https://youtu.be/gaTBi-xl5X4. And, for more information on the documentary and the foundation’s literacy initiatives, visit www.eatlearnplay.org 

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About Eat. Learn. Play.

Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is an organization dedicated to unleashing the potential of every child, paving the way for amazing kids and opening doors to bright futures. Founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry in 2019, Eat. Learn. Play. launched with a focus on improving the lives of kids and families in Oakland, the Bay Area and across the country. Rooted in three of the most vital pillars for a healthy childhood—nutrition, education and physical activity—Eat. Learn. Play. is working to ensure that every child in Oakland has access to the nutritious food they need to be healthy and thrive; resources to learn and love to read; and safe places and equitable opportunities to play. Follow Eat. Learn. Play. on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

Eat. Learn. Play. Contacts:

Tom Dietz

tom@midnight-dawn.com | C: 303-506-2228

Stephen Baruch

stephen@midnight-dawn.com | C: 631-388-1367