The Carson Scholars Fund honored Mrs. Sonya Carson, Dr. Carson’s mother, on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the opening of its 65th Ben Carson Reading Room. This room is in the Enoch Pratt Free Library at 400 Cathedral St. in Baltimore. The Reading Room is the first in Maryland to be located in a public library and features a tribute to Sonya Carson, whom Dr. Carson credits as the person who first helped him to develop a love of reading. It was a day celebrated by many friends and members of the Carson family who attended. Also attending this special occasion were Dr. and Mrs. Donald Janower, benefactors of this newest Reading Room, and members of their family. Dr. Janower was Sonya’s and Dr. Carson’s family physician, and served as a role model for Dr. Carson when he was a small boy in Detroit, Michigan. Sonya Carson left such a strong impression on Dr. Janower as a remarkable mother that he wanted to honor her in this special way.
Featured in the afternoon’s program were 3-time Carson Scholar Nicole Moy and her younger brothers Alex, Chris, and Ryan who entertained the gathering with classical musical selections by their family quartet. Also in attendance was another 3-time Carson Scholar Ryan Simpson, who helped to greet guests. Dr. Carla Hayden, Chief Executive Officer of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and former president of the American Library Association, was there with her mother, and welcomed and encouraged everyone to visit this unique Reading Room.