Guest Speaker: David Chalk

This week, Rotary was honored to welcome David Chalk, award-winning entrepreneur, technology pioneer, and passionate advocate for literacy. David shared his extraordinary personal story—growing up undiagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges, enduring years of frustration and bullying in school, and ultimately only learning to read at the age of 62. His journey, featured in the documentary The Truth About Reading, has become a powerful spotlight on one of the most urgent but overlooked issues in our communities: the global literacy crisis.

David explained that during the early school years, children spend grades one through three “learning to read,” but from grade four onward, they are expected to “read to learn.” When students fall behind in this crucial window, the impact is devastating. In North America, over 150 million people struggle with basic literacy, and more than half of all students graduate reading below grade level. The consequences ripple across society, leading to higher rates of poverty, unemployment, poor mental health, and incarceration. Sobering statistics show that 80% of prison inmates in the United States are dyslexic, underscoring the generational cost of neglecting literacy.

Yet David’s message was not one of despair, but of determination and hope. Drawing on his expertise in technology and artificial intelligence, he is now leading the creation of a revolutionary learning platform that uses natural language, pattern recognition, and emotional engagement to teach reading in a way that aligns with how the human brain learns best. His vision is for children everywhere to not only master reading and writing early in life, but to flourish as storytellers—entering school already confident, capable, and even publishing their own work.

For Rotarians, this mission strikes a deep chord. Rotary has long placed literacy and education at the heart of its service, from supporting local reading programs in schools and libraries, to international initiatives that bring books, teachers, and resources to underserved communities. David’s story is both an inspiration and a reminder: the ability to read is not simply an academic skill, but a pathway to dignity, opportunity, and peace. By working together—through innovation, advocacy, and service—Rotary can be part of the solution to ensure that every child, everywhere, has the gift of literacy.

A message of appreciation received by David Chalk after his presentation: 

Dear Rotary Club of Vancouver, 

Thank you sincerely for the opportunity to speak with the Vancouver Rotary Club members. It was an honour to join you.

I greatly appreciated the thoughtful participation and questions. Preventing childhood trauma from early classroom experiences, and the literacy failure that follows for more than half of all  children who do not learn to read at a level required for survival and success, is the reality we must change. Working together, we can end it, and I congratulate your club on the important literacy work you are already advancing.

As promised, I am forwarding the link to The Truth About Reading documentary. It captures the magnitude of the crisis and my own journey of learning to read, while pointing directly to the solution that Reading Road™ will now deliver—teaching children before they ever enter school through emotionally understanding artificial intelligence.

If any further questions arise, please provide my email address, as I want to answer all questions and concerns about this crisis I will do all I can to end.

The Truth About Reading — Full Documentary
Screening Link

With my very best,
David Chalk
david@chalkcorp.com