May 18, 2016

Foundation created in honor of Charleston shooting victim Cynthia Hurd

Originally published by Time Warner Cable News

By: Jenna Barnes

CHARLOTTE – It’s been nearly a year since a gunman killed 9 people inside Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, and now the family of one of the victims, Cynthia Hurd, is launching a foundation in her honor  to carry on her legacy of helping children read.

Hurd was a librarian for 30 years, and now the Cynthia Graham Hurd Foundation for Literacy and Civic Engagement will work to improve literacy in Charleston and Charlotte.

Its first act is a book drive scheduled for the month of June.

“We celebrate the way she lived. We celebrate the things that were important to her. We celebrate her life and her legacy,” her brother, Malcolm Graham, said.

The foundation is working with Reading Partners on the book drive, hoping to collect a year’s worth of books for 1,000 kids.

You can drop off books at:

Joseph W. Grier Academy, 8330 Grier Road

Oakdale Elementary, 1825 Oakdale Road

Sugar Creek Charter School, 4101 North Tryon Street

WBTV, 1 Julian Place