Episode 68: Our guest is Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. In this episode we chat about Mayor Deegan’s reading initiative, River City Readers, and why literacy has been such an important focal point of her administration.

Episode 68: Show Notes

City of Jacksonville Website
Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers
Duval County Students create a PageHive Account
Jacksonville Bookmobile Information
Why We Love Our Jacksonville Library
Sign up for a FREE Jacksonville Library Card
Follow Mayor Deegan on Instagram
Follow the City of Jacksonville on Instagram

Episode 68: About Our Guest

Mayor Donna Deegan is the 45th mayor of the City of Jacksonville, Florida, and the 9th mayor since the City’s consolidation in 1968. A Jacksonville native, award-winning local television news anchor, three-time cancer survivor, and non-profit founder, Mayor Deegan was sworn into office on July 1, 2023.

After graduating from Florida State University, Mayor Deegan started a career in broadcast journalism, which culminated in a role as a lead anchor at First Coast News. Over her tenure, she listened to and shared the stories of people living in every corner of this city, from all walks of life. She investigated many of Jacksonville’s systemic problems and held people in power accountable. Over her 25 years reporting, she established herself as a trusted voice for her community.

Mayor Deegan’s three bouts with breast cancer inspired her to bring her passion toward a new pursuit. After seeing fellow cancer patients and survivors saddled with debt and struggling to make ends meet, she was called to action and created the DONNA Foundation. In 2003, she founded the nonprofit to support the same community of patients, survivors, and health care providers who stepped up for her when she needed it most.

Elected to office on May 16, 2023, Mayor Deegan is bringing her unique life experiences and deep Jacksonville roots to build a city that works for all of us. The Deegan Administration is working to create a good quality of life by focusing on infrastructure, public health, and economic development.

Mayor Deegan has two children and lives at the beaches with her husband, Tim. 

Episode 68: Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers

Improving literacy rates is a top priority for Mayor Deegan and her administration. It’s an economic development issue, a public safety issue, and a quality-of-life issue for the entire city.

Let’s get DUUUVAL reading! Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers is an ongoing citywide literacy challenge for school-age children. Participants are encouraged to read for at least 20 minutes each day and log their reading minutes. Since the initiative launched, Jacksonville families have logged more than 3 million minutes of reading.