Grant Williams launches summer reading initiative in Charlotte

Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams may be known for his on-court hustle and athleticism, but this summer, he’s hoping Charlotteans see him as something else: an avid reader.

Williams, who grew up visiting Imaginon in uptown Charlotte, says reading has long been a part of his daily routine, even with busy days of playing and practicing basketball. And it’s his love of reading that led Williams and the Grant Williams Family Foundation to partner with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to support reading literacy.

The initiative, called Summer Reading, encourages children, teens and everyone to make daily reading a priority.

Participants are encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes a day reading anything they want: books, magazines, newspapers, websites, emails, comics or blogs. Audiobooks are also encouraged.

The library has sponsored a summer reading program every year since 2015, with 12,000 to 15,000 readers participating each summer since 2020. 

This year’s program is slightly different: Readers are encouraged to track each day they read, not the amount of time they spend reading or the number of books they read.

“We just want to encourage reading something every day,” says Jesse Isley, senior program manager, children’s services with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “We wanted to simplify and focus and be excited to explain, share and build the love of reading with people.”  

When participants have read for 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, they can visit a library branch and look through a “Summer Reading Treasure Box” for prizes. Children ages 5 through 18 who read for 45 days will be entered into drawings with the chance to earn special experiences. 

The Library is holding a June 28 kickoff at Imaginon with an assortment of free activities, including a magician, a teen party and a show for children. Williams will be there to meet with children and teens.

Williams said he’s excited about the summer program and believes that kids will love the prizes and incentives.

“I hope that I can convince kids out there to pick up a book, even if it’s for a few minutes a day – and even if you’re starting with a magazine or small section in a newspaper,” he said. “Even now, as an NBA player, reading plays such a big part in my life, and I get so much joy from sharing that message with kids across Charlotte.”

QCity Metro talked with Williams about his love of reading and working with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Why were you interested in working with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Summer Reading program?

Reading is always something I’ve been passionate about and was instilled in me by my parents from a very young age. Combining forces with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, for kids in the city where I grew up, just felt like such a natural fit for us to make a difference. I’ve seen first-hand the benefits that reading has provided me – like creativity, thoughtfulness, time management – and my goal is to inspire others to do the same.

Tell us about your relationship with books when you were younger. Was it hard to find time to read?

You could always find me with a book. Growing up, it was always important to my parents that school come first, even before basketball, and so for me, I took particular enjoyment in reading. I never really had to be pressured into it; my love of reading kind of came naturally. There’s just so many different genres and things to learn that reading has always kept my attention.

What books or authors did you like when you were younger, and how did they influence you?

I was a huge fan of the author Rick Riordan and really latched on to the Percy Jackson book series. I found this sparked my imagination and helped me think outside the box. The creativity that reading has given me the foundation for has been huge in my day-to-day life now. Whether I need to get creative on what I’m doing for my Foundation or how I’m showing up as a leader and teammate, that skill of thinking differently has taken me far.

What are you reading now? How do books enhance your life as an adult?

I’m currently reading “Cry Like a Man” by Jason Wilson – and love taking time to read at home with my dogs nearby. As an adult, I’ve found that reading teaches me new things that I may not otherwise have time to learn amidst such a busy NBA season and schedule. Whether I’m on the plane heading to a road game, on the bus, or relaxing after practice, those moments where I’m reading give me time to myself to let my mind unwind and kind of hit the pause button.  

What is your advice to the kid who thinks he or she is too busy with sports, their phone or other activities to take time to read? 

Start small. Start by blocking out 10 minutes each day – and work on increasing your time spent from there. In whatever ways you can make it fun and less daunting, do it! Even if you read a comic book for 10 minutes before you go to sleep, you’re reading! That’s what’s so great; reading looks different for everyone. The most important part is simply starting.

Get involved with the Summer Reading program

Events Calendar: Learn how your local branch is kicking off summer reading

Learn about Summer Reading at Charlotte Mecklenburg LIbrary

Just 15 minutes a day – and anything you want to read counts!  Visit your local branch to get prizes. To be eligible to win an experience, your 45 days of reading must be logged in Beanstack, and the Beanstack account must have a CMS One Access or Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card number entered.

Download the digital tracker 

Download a paper tracker

Hear from Grant Williams as he talks about how reading has shaped his life

Want to go: 
Attend the Block Out Time to Read kickoff 
Date: June 28
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Imaginon, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte