The Literacy Center of West Michigan will host our signature Spellebration event celebrating our 40th anniversary on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at the Amway Grand Plaza Ambassador Ballroom (187 Monroe Ave NW) in Grand Rapids from 5:30-9:00pm. Please consider joining us for a lively, mission-forward event with our featured learners, literacy coaches, and honorees.
This year, we’re proud to honor three individuals whose leadership has shaped our history and who continue to build a future where literacy is a foundation for equity in our community:
- Bill and Cecile Fehsenfeld, owners of the independent Schuler Books and long supporters of the Literacy Center of West Michigan, with the Champion of Literacy Award
- Attah Obande, Chief Operating Officer at Elizabeth Rosario Law, PLC, and advocate for immigrants and newcomers, with the Ledy Award for Community Engagement
- Carolina C’Nol, former learner, volunteer literacy coach, and board member, with the Volunteer of the Year Award
Thank you to our sponsors:
Event Underwriter
Champion of Literacy Sponsors
Bill and Wanda Guest
Win and Kyle Irwin Fund
Award Sponsors
Jim and Nancy Ayres
Literacy Society Sponsors
Speller's Society Sponsors
Anonymous
Richard and Dawn Antonini
College of Education and Community Innovation, Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority Community Inclusion Group
Haworth Helps
Book Club Sponsors
Fritz Crabb
DeWys Metal Solutions
Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids
ESCO Group, Inc.
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Public Schools
RoMan Manufacturing
Marcy & Robert Roth
Schuler Books
Varnum LLP
Elizabeth Welch & Brian Schwartz
West Michigan Works!
Fiction Guild Sponsors
AHC Hospitality
Anonymous
Applied Innovation
John and Micki Benz
Cascade Engineering
The Express Employment Professionals Companies
Foremost Graphics Group
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Bill and Melissa Marsh
Chris and Michelle Rabideau
Refugee Education Center
Rich VanderVeen
Waséyabek
West Michigan Welcome Plan
Wolverine Coil Spring Co.
Benjamin L. Zarzecki/Susan Zarzecki