On Thursday, August 2, the Independence Institute Freedom Embassy hosted its second Brown Bag Lunch event with a compelling personal story highlighting the need to improve literacy in Colorado and nationwide. Addressing an audience of more than 50 Colorado educators, officials and other interested citizens, John Corcoran, president and CEO of the John Corcoran Foundation, shared an account of his longtime secretive struggles with (and ultimately his triumph over) illiteracy.

Corcoran’s memoir The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read details how he graduated college, taught for 17 years and worked as a successful real estate developer before learning to read at age 48 and eventually becoming a national champion for literacy.

John Corcoran shares the story of his challenges and ultimate triumph over adult illiteracy with the audience at an August 2 Brown Bag Lunch event in the Independence Institute's meeting room

John Corcoran appeared as a guest on the August 17 episode of The Devil’s Advocate to share his story with guest host Pam Benigno and the Colorado TV audience.

Ed News Colorado’s Julie Poppen provided coverage of the event, as well as full 44-minute podcast audio.

A 45-minute video of the event, courtesy of Ari Armstrong, is also available.

Corcoran also shared his story with the audience of the Amy Oliver Show on AM 1310 KFKA, featured in the second half of the hour.