The Enterprise Women’s Network recently hosted its annual book fair at the Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy, with Councilman James Torrence and Mayor Brandon Scott among the volunteer guest readers at the first in-person event in two years because of Covid. 

Thanks to the community’s generosity, we exceeded our $8,000 fundraising goal, which provided a book buying bonanza to 418 students and more than 30 teachers and staff.

• Pre-K to second-graders received $12 each to spend on books 
• Third- to fifth-graders $15 each 
• Sixth- to eighth-graders $25 each
• Teachers $50 each

A permanent Little Free Library was also purchased for the school.

More than 12 guest readers volunteered at this year’s event in addition to Councilman Torrence and Mayor Scott, including Enterprise VP and Mid-Atlantic Market Leader David Bowers, Baltimore City Schools leadership and Enterprise staff.

During its nine-year history, the book fair has distributed more than 6,000 books to students at the academy.

The Enterprise Women’s Network (EWN) has been mentoring young students in the Baltimore Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood since 2001. For a generation, this group of committed women has given of their time, talent and treasure to quietly yet determinedly connect with young students. 

Through the Great Recession, the uprising after the killing of Freddie Gray and now the global pandemic, the EWN has been and continues to be determined to stay connected with Baltimore scholars in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood to provide one more caring adult in the life of each student.