REDLANDS, Calif. — Food Network personality and cookbook author Curtis Aikens will speak about the transformative power of literacy at a free community event April 17 in Redlands.
Aikens, an eight-time cookbook author, is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. at the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the Adult Literacy Program at A.K. Smiley Public Library.
Aikens’ appearance will center on his personal story of learning to read at age 26 – a turning point that reshaped his life and career.
Growing up in rural Georgia, Aikens said he struggled with literacy throughout his childhood and young adulthood, hiding the challenge from others, including his family. He was accepted into college on a football scholarship despite being unable to read.
“I felt too embarrassed to ask for help, too ashamed to admit I couldn’t understand anything on the page,” Aikens said in remarks shared with participants in a recent Redlands Adult Literacy Program writing workshop.
At 26, Aikens saw a public service announcement that encouraged adults to seek help with reading and writing. He connected with a literacy organization and began working with volunteer tutors, eventually gaining the skills that would open new opportunities.
With those skills, Aikens went on to earn a master’s degree in education, build a career as a chef and television personality, and author multiple cookbooks.
“If you can’t read, you can’t succeed,” Aikens said.
Organizers said Aikens recently joined a local writing workshop via Zoom, where he encouraged adult learners to seek support and stay committed to their goals.
“The biggest challenge is to ask for help,” he told participants. “It’s okay to be vulnerable.”
Workshop attendee Rosalia Bautista said Aikens’ story resonated deeply.
“He gave me a lot of motivation to keep going with my teacher to learn to read and write in English,” Bautista said. “He makes it easy to learn.”
The April 17 event, titled “Power of Literacy,” is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
The Redlands Adult Literacy Program provides free tutoring for adults seeking to improve reading and writing skills and is supported by community donors, the Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library and the library’s endowment fund.
Organizers encourage community members to attend and learn more about how literacy programs can change lives.
For more information, contact Adult Literacy Coordinator Diane Shimota at dshimota@akspl.org or call (909) 798-7565.
