Conyers Mayor Connie Alsobrook launches The Mayor’s Reading Club

CONYERS, GA—Mayor Connie Alsobrook spent time doing reading activities with about 30 children on July 8 at City Hall, officially launching The Mayor’s Reading Club, a literacy initiative of Georgia City Solutions, a nonprofit created by the Georgia Municipal Association.  

Participants included 19 youths from the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale  Boys & Girls Club in Conyers. Young children and youths had a chance to not only participate interactive activities but also got a behind-the-scenes look at local government. 

The morning began with each child introducing themselves, helping create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Participants then worked in pairs on tabletop icebreaker activities designed to encourage teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.

Alsobrook was joined by several city staff members who volunteered to read to the children, including City Attorney Carrie Bootcheck, City Manager Kameron Kelley, and Assistant City Manager Brian Frix. Springfield Baptist Church Pastor Eric Lee also attended and joined in on the fun of reading.

The mayor said that the city’s staff members and Pastor Lee’s participation reinforced the message that reading is valued by leaders throughout the community. The children  enjoyed freshly popped popcorn and candy bags during the read-in.

“The Mayor Reading Club is about more than reading book,” Alsobrook said. “It is about inspiring our children to discover the joy of reading, building their confidence, and showing them that their community believes in them. Every book has the power to open a new door, and I want every child to know that they have unlimited potential.”

At the event, each child received:

• A free book to take home and add to their personal library
• A Certificate of Achievement recognizing that they Read with the Mayor on July 8, 2026
• A guided tour of Conyers City Hall, where they learned about local government and the people who serve the community.

The Mayor’s Reading Club reflects Mayor Alsobrook’s commitment to investing in the next generation by creating opportunities that make learning engaging, memorable, and fun. By brining children into City Hall, the initiative also helps strengthen the connection between residents and their local government, Alsobrook said. 

Alsobrook said she extends a great appreciation to the volunteers, city staff, parents, and community partners whose support helped make the first reading session a success: 

• Positive Childhood Alliance Rockdale-Newton
• Barksdale Boys & Girls Club
• American Mothers
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Coming Up

The Mayor’s Reading Club will host a reading event on July 22. The event will feature activities geared toward tweens and teens, while remaining open to children of all ages.