Lesley Stahl Hosts Star-Studded Literacy Partners Gala as Patricia Cornwell, Sherrie Westin Honored

The 40th anniversary black-tie benefit brought together New York’s literary and philanthropic elite at Pier Sixty, raising $1.3 million for Literacy Partners programs.

Literary figures, philanthropists and business leaders gathered at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers for the 2026 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner, a black-tie celebration hosted by Lesley Stahl that raised $1.3 million in support of the organization’s literacy programs.

Jean Shafiroff. 2026 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty. Photos by BFA / Madeleine Thomas, Getty Images / Paul Bruinooge

2026 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty. Photos by BFA / Madeleine Thomas, Getty Images / Paul Bruinooge

2026 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty. Photos by BFA / Madeleine Thomas, Getty Images / Paul Bruinooge

A Milestone Moment Celebrating 40 Years of Literacy Advocacy

The milestone evening marked the 40th anniversary of the gala, which was founded in 1986 by columnist Liz Smith. The annual benefit brings together leaders in media, culture and business to support Literacy Partners’ mission of advancing literacy across generations by helping adults, parents and caregivers build the skills they need to create stronger futures for themselves and their children.

One of the most moving moments of the evening came from a Literacy Partners student who shared her personal journey of learning English and overcoming barriers to opportunity. Today, she is not only helping other students strengthen their literacy skills but also pursuing a career in health care, while her children thrive in school — underscoring the organization’s impact in real time.

This year’s honorees reflected the breadth of Literacy Partners’ mission across literature, education, leadership and public service.

Bestselling author Patricia Cornwell received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to contemporary crime fiction and her global literary impact.

Sebastian Niles, president and chief legal officer of Salesforce, was honored with the Distinguished Leadership in Literacy Award for his commitment to access, equity and opportunity through corporate and civic leadership.

Barbara Tober received the Lizzie Award, named for Literacy Partners founder Liz Smith, honoring her decades of support for culture, publishing and philanthropy. A longtime editor-in-chief of BRIDES magazine, Tober has been a prominent supporter of the arts and civic life in New York.

Sherrie Westin, president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, was presented with the Champion of Literacy Award for her leadership of the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” and her longstanding dedication to early childhood education and learning.

“This gathering, which celebrated remarkable literacy champions, demonstrated that when we come together, a better future is possible,” said Literacy Partners CEO Asaf Bar-Tura. “Literacy is a gateway to social mobility and economic opportunity. The Literacy Partners community will continue to insist on a nation where everyone has the opportunity to read, work, engage and thrive.”

Notable guests included Lesley Stahl, Patricia Cornwell, Sebastian Niles, Barbara Tober, Sherrie Westin, Asaf Bar-Tura, David Westin, Jean Shafiroff and Bill Buford.

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .