GMA Segment: Charlie Gibson and Spencer Christian chat with Stephen and Ayesha Curry
"The Book Case" podcast host and "GMA" alum received a special invitation to attend "Christmas with the Currys" in Oakland, California, and talk to them about the importance of literacy.
On Friday, December 19, Stephen and Ayesha Curry brought the 13th annual Christmas with the Currys to a meaningful close by spreading holiday cheer, joy and the gift of reading through a citywide celebration of literacy across Oakland. The Currys visited Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy, one of Eat. Learn. Play.’s previously transformed schoolyard sites, to celebrate alongside students, staff, volunteers and partners, marking the culminating moment of the foundation’s month-long holiday book fair initiative. The final day at Korematsu Elementary reflected the collective spirit of service, community and joyful learning that unfolded throughout December, underscoring Eat. Learn. Play.’s ongoing commitment to literacy and creating meaningful opportunities for children to read, learn and dream.
The Currys day began the day with an interview with Charlie Gibson for Good Morning America and ABC News’ The Book Case podcast, along with Spencer Christian of ABC7 (KGO). The dual interview opportunity centered on Eat. Learn. Play.’s work in Oakland, with a focus on literacy initiatives and Christmas with the Currys.
Throughout the month of December, Eat. Learn. Play. hosted free, holiday-themed book fairs at 47 public elementary schools across the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), ensuring thousands of students headed into winter break with brand-new books to call their own. In partnership with Rubrik, this year’s Christmas with the Currys marked one of the largest celebrations to date. More than 600 volunteers, including employees from Rubrik and other corporate partners, community organizations and Eat. Learn. Play.’s dedicated volunteer network, joined Stephen and Ayesha in helping students browse, explore and select books that reflect their interests and identities. In total, more than 68,000 culturally affirming, age-appropriate books were placed directly into the hands of more than 17,000 Oakland students. Each book fair reinforced the belief that access to books, and the power to choose them, builds confidence, sparks a lifelong love of reading and strengthens home libraries across the city.
This year’s celebration also reinforced Eat. Learn. Play.’s long-term commitment to advancing literacy and closing the reading gap in Oakland. Following the foundation’s $25 million investment in one-on-one professional tutoring and a comprehensive literacy strategy across OUSD, Christmas with the Currys represents another meaningful milestone in ensuring nearly every elementary student in the district has access to books that inspire, reflect their voices and support academic growth. The event also marked the launch of a new partnership with Rubrik, which is investing across Eat. Learn. Play.’s core focus areas, including literacy, hunger relief and access to play, helping ensure Oakland students feel supported well beyond the holiday season.
About The Book Case
The Book Case is a weekly podcast hosted by veteran broadcasters Kate and Charlie Gibson, where they interview authors ranging from debut writers to literary icons. Each episode blends warm, conversational storytelling with deeper exploration of an author’s process, inspiration, and the themes that shape their work. The show is known for its approachable tone, sharp questions, and the Gibsons’ genuine enthusiasm for helping listeners discover their next great read.