“We live in an age where many people think 140 characters is longform journalism,” said Norman Pearlstine, (right) chief content officer at Time Inc., adding, “Our society needs readers to understand the complexities and richness in life.”
Pearlstine was honored at Literacy Partners’ annual gala last night. Renowned author Gay Talese presented Pearlstine his award.
Talese and Pearlstine both started their journalism careers as copy boys at The New York Times, though in different eras. Pearlstine credited the prose from Talese’s book, New York: A Serendipiter’s Journey, with influencing his decision to go into journalism. Pearlstine’s career has spanned major brands including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Time Inc. where he returned in 2013 following stints at other media outlets.
Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger (below, left) previewed his upcoming memoir, American Dreamer, about his life in fashion and business, and acclaimed YA author Jacqueline Woodson (below, right) read passages from her forthcoming novel, Another Brooklyn.
For Hilfiger, a first time author, reading held a darker meaning when he was young. “I couldn’t read well, I was dyslexic, and that motivated me to think about what else I could do in life”, he said. “I drove from upstate to New York City, bought 20 pairs of bellbottom jeans and sold them to my friends at a profit.” He then opened jeans shops on college campuses and later launched his namesake fashion brand, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in business this year.
Woodson, a Brooklynite, said she too was a slow reader. She was also a keen observer, and excerpts from Another Brooklyn describe poignant experiences like a New York City blackout when she watched looters passing through her neighborhood and her white neighbors hastily moving away. On a lighter note, she joked that her books are brief, so people read them fast. To one reader she advised, “Go back and read it again because it took me 3 years to write!”
ABC’s The View co-host Sunny Hostin emceed the event and Literacy Partners participants shared tales about learning to read later in life. One student, Matthew Brown, returned to perform, this time harmonizing with his son Verlan on the Nat King Cole song, L-O-V-E.
(Photos courtesy of BFA)