READ RVA welcomes a new CEO as the organization receives recognition for its growing impact on the community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2025
CONTACT: Mary Graham; (804) 288-9930; mary@readrva.org
Richmond, VA – Central Virginia’s only service organization dedicated entirely to adult literacy within the community named a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the growing organization. Mary Graham takes the reins leading the 41-year-old organization. This announcement comes on the heels of other big news for the non-profit after they doubled the students they serve in the last couple years. Following the expanded impact, the organization changed from “The READ Center” to become “READ RVA” earlier this year. READ RVA signals a regional movement for adult literacy. It aligns with the organization’s goals to increase visibility, deepen community connections, and strengthen support for our students.
Mary Graham comes to READ RVA after guiding several non-profit organizations in Tennessee. Mary served as the President at United Ways of Tennessee where she was responsible for guiding and coordinating the impact of the 28-member United Way organizations across the state. More recently she was the CEO of Persevere, a multi-state organization transforming second chances through technology education, workforce development and re-entry support. In this position she saw first- hand the impact literacy has on people’s lives.
Theresa Moore, President of READ RVA’s Board of Directors said of Mary, “Mary’s demonstrated impact on communities, her passion and operational abilities make her the perfect candidate to lead READ RVA into the next decade as we continue to expand our impact to the 100,000 Richmond-area residents who also deserve a literate life.”
Mary Graham joins READ RVA at a time of growth and acknowledgement of it’s work. Caritas recognized READ RVA with its Community Partner of the Year award for its on-site testing and literacy tutoring services to participants of The Healing Place at Caritas. In October, ChamberRVA named READ RVA as the Non-Profit of the Year at their ICONS Awards for demonstrating exceptional dedication to engaging and empowering young professionals.
“I am thrilled to join READ RVA at such an exciting moment in its history,” said Mary Graham. “This is a perfect launching pad to expand our reach and transform more lives, giving every adult the chance to live a fully literate life.”
About READ RVA: READ RVA’s mission is to help adults with low-level literacy develop basic reading and communication skills so they can fulfill their goals and their roles as citizens, workers, and family members. This mission is accomplished by providing classroom instruction, one-to-one tutoring, and educational resources to support students. Every important social issue is impacted by low literacy. The inability to read creates huge barriers for an adult trying to function in society. It impacts health, employment, housing and parenting. Low literacy traps families in a cycle of poverty that is hard to break. READ RVA services are provided free to individuals over the age of 18 in Central Virginia. For more information or to share your time, talents or treasure contact READ RVA at 804- 288-9930 or readrva.org.
