The Brain-Building Network
The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy is proud to host the 2024 Annual Governor’s Summit on Early Language and Literacy on July 17th-18th. Each year, the Deal Center hosts the Summit to showcase current research, practice, and policy related to early language and literacy development from birth through age eight for the state of Georgia. This year’s Summit will focus on the implementation of wrap around supports for the brain building network across early childhood care and education.
President Cathy Cox invites you to the Annual Governor's Summit 2024!
DJ Pryor invites you to the Annual Governor's Summit 2024!
Scroll down for more information on the schedule, speakers, our fundraising gala, and sponsorship opportunities.
The Dinner with the Deal Center Fundraising Gala will take place on July 17th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in Georgia College & State University’s Magnolia Ballroom. Keynote speaker DJ Pryor will open the evening with a comedy performance and dinner will follow. The attire for this event is semi-formal. Join us for a lovely evening celebrating and honoring Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal’s legacy.
We offer single admission tickets, couple's tickets, and tables for eight. If unable to attend, a monetary donation of your choice is appreciated. Sponsors of the Summit will also receive tickets depending on the level of sponsorship.
Prior registration for this event is required to attend, and registration for the Dinner is separate from the Summit.
Please RSVP by July 10th, 2024.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Meet the Keynote Speakers
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Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson
Educator, Speaker, Author, Amazon Best Seller, Podcast Host, & Founder of EduCare Training and Consulting, LLC
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DJ Pryor
Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Speaker, Musician, & Writer
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Mary Lauren Salvatore
Assistant Director in the Office of Whole Child Supports at the Georgia Department of Education
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Carrie Deal
Community Relations Director at Georgia Lottery Corporation & Deal Center Board Member
Meet the Spotlight Speakers
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Dr. Keisha Callins
Women’s Healthcare Professional at Mercer University School of Medicine & Community Healthcare Systems
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Dr. Katherine Pickard
Assistant Professor and Licensed Psychologist at the Marcus Autism Center
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Sarah Richards
Georgia Literacy Coach at the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement
Meet the Panelists
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Malcolm Mitchell
Facilitator
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Mayor Van R. Johnson, II
City of Savannah
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Judge Peggy Walker
Senior Judge for the State of Georgia
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Charlotte Richards
Georgia’s Pre-K Teacher of the Year & Educator in Chattahoochee County
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Dr. Matt Carter
Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Valdosta State University and the Program Director of the Scottish-Rite Literacy Program at Valdosta State University
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Kathi Frankel
Physical Therapist & Children’s Book Author
Meet the Strategy Session Facilitators
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Suzanne Harbin
Director, Early Childhood Initiative of Northwest Georgia (ECI)
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Lizann Roberts
Executive Director of Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition & Georgia Health Initiative Board Member
Meet the Emcee
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Jemeria Cummings
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, July 17th
Registration & Mingle
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Welcome Address: Dr. Lindee Morgan
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. Patrice Buckner
Jackson
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Second Keynote Speaker: DJ Pryor
2:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
Work Session: Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson
2:35 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Third Keynote Speaker: Mary Lauren Salvatore
3:20 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Fond Farewell
3:50 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dinner with the Deal Center Fundraising Gala
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
*prior registration required
Thursday, July 18th
Registration and Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Welcome Address
8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
Panel Discussion: hosted by Malcolm Mitchell
8:40 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
Spotlight Speaker: Sarah Richards
9:40 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
Spotlight Speaker: Dr. Keisha Callins
9:55 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Breakout Session #1
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Breakout Session #2
11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Spotlight Speaker: Dr. Katherine Pickard
1:40 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Strategy Session
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Closing Keynote Speaker: Carrie Deal
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Fond Farewell
3:25 p.m. – 3:30 p.m
Hotels & Local Accommodations
Click the Visit Milledgeville link below for a list of hotels and local accommodations.
https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/hotels-lodging/
Directions, Parking, & Logistics
The Summit will be held in the Magnolia Ballroom located at
300 West Hancock Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
Parking for the Summit will be at the Georgia College
Centennial Parking Lot 1, which is located at
251 South Clarke Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
Signs will be placed designating the parking area. Lot identification signs are at the entrance to each lot. If you choose to park on the street near the venue, be aware that these are designated 2-hour parking spots controlled by the Milledgeville City Police, not Georgia College.
Be mindful that you could be ticketed ($30).
There will be a designated Georgia College shuttle running between the Centennial parking lot and the Magnolia Ballroom on July 17th and on July 18th. The shuttle will also run at the end of each Summit day. If you need to return to your car during the Summit, just alert a Deal Center representative and they will arrange transportation.
Why Attend
INNOVATE
Collaborate with the Deal Center to advance research through grant making, original contributions, and synthesis of the latest research, as well as expanding and diversifying our funding resources.
EMPOWER
Aid the Deal Center to define and deliver a standard of practice for our stakeholders, with the goal of this Summit being to strengthen the network of entities addressing literacy in Georgia.
DISTINGUISH
Support the Deal Center to grow our state and national recognition as a leader in language and literacy work. We are continuously defining our role within, and our contributions to, the literacy ecosystem.
ENGAGE
Connect with the Deal Center to guide policy development and implementation, as well as deepen ties with entities such as Georgia College & State University to more effectively pursue our mission.
ADVANCE
Extend the Deal Center’s outreach throughout Georgia by creating deliberate and productive relationships with our partners in the literacy ecosystem. We will invest in our people and processes for long-term excellence within the state of Georgia
