Daily Show correspondent and host Roy Wood,Jr. calls on viewers to support Birmingham literacy non-profit

(Roy Wood, Jr.)

Birmingham native and Comedy Central The Daily Show host Roy Wood, Jr. encouraged viewers to support I See Me, Inc. — a local literacy organization founded in The Magic City. 

Here is how he ended the show: 

“That’s our show for tonight. But, before we go, please consider donating to the non-profit I See Me —an organization dedicated to dismantling the school to prison pipeline by increasing literacy rates in children of color. If you can, donate to the link below.”

Committed to Literacy

Bham Now caught up with I See Me, Founder and CEO Devon Frazier about her organization receiving a “shout-out” from the popular comedian on national television. 

She told us it was 20 years in the making.  

“About 20 years ago, when I was a classroom teacher in Fairfield and reached out to him (Wood) to get him to read to my class for Read Across America. He didn’t know whether he was going to have a gig or anything like that—but he gave me his word. 

He flew from LA, into Tennessee, then drove from Tennessee to Fairfield to read to my third graders, and then he drove back to Tennessee for a gig. I have been his biggest fan ever since. Just to know that he’s a man of his word. And to know how good his heart is, to do something like that.” 

Fast Forward to Today

(I See Me, Inc. Facebook page)

Now, nearly two decades later, Wood, Jr. is using his platform to support Frazier and I See Me.

“When I heard it last night, I literally was in tears and it brought me back to 20 years ago about his support and his support throughout the years. I was just literally in tears and just grateful to him,” Frazier added.

June Summit

Want to learn more about I See Me, Inc.? Bham Now featured the organization in a story about a fundraiser with Back 40 Birmingham in December 2020.

Also plan to attend their Literacy Summit  will be held on June 21st and 22nd at Kress Building in downtown Birmingham.

Keynote speakers include renowned educator Dr. Ayanna Brown and Sonia Manzano, the actress who played “Maria” on Sesame Street.

Register for the event — HERE.

Are you a big fan of Roy Wood, Jr.? Tell us your favorite comedy skit by him on social media by tagging us at @bhamnow

Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.