Courtney DeFilippis, who leads The Literacy Center for Dyslexia (TLC), stepped into the spotlight as Englewood’s 2026 “Mayor 4 a Day” on September 2 at the Grove City Bar & Grill. And she didn’t get there by standing still; Courtney and her team raised an impressive $25,841 for the cause.
Although she was born in Alvin, Texas, you’d never guess it from her voice. “I grew up actually on Palm Island,” Courtney says. “I moved out to Palm Island when I was eight, so I’m almost a Floridian.” After about forty years in the area, she’s more than earned the title.
Juggling life seems almost second nature to her. She laughs when asked how she manages it all. “Speed,” she says.
Married with four children, she’s coming up on a long stretch of marriage (though she admits she’s lost count), raises four kids: three teenagers and a nine-year-old, all while keeping her real estate career running, and still finds time to drive her nonprofit, TLC. No surprise, her family takes her “Mayor 4 a Day” win in stride. “They’re like, oh, good. Are you gonna make dinner again soon?” she jokes.
But at the heart of what she does lies a message she’s learned the hard way, watching her own kids struggle and push through challenges. “Always believe in yourself. My experience with my two kids, which is how I started with TLC, was watching them face real struggles to the point where they almost gave up. If you just keep believing in yourself and working hard, you can overcome just about anything. God has got a plan for all of us and made us who we are for a reason.”
Congratulations to Courtney DeFilippis, Englewood’s honorary Mayor 4 a Day.
For more information about The Literacy Center for Dyslexia, go to tlc4dyslexia.com or call 941-473-2266.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Jesus coming back. But my perfect happiness is when my family’s all home and we’re together.
Which living person do you most admire?
I very much admire my kids because it’s fun seeing them experience life, and how they take on each new day.
If you could have any talent, what would it be?
Maybe having a little more patience and maybe think before I speak a little more. That, and being a singer.
What is your life motto?
I think the golden rule is always a good one.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Lately, I’ve realized it’s not always about me. A lot of the time, things are just bigger than what I want or how I feel. Sometimes you have to step up and say yes, even when it’s not something you’d choose for yourself. Honestly, I never would’ve signed up for this on my own. But I get it, there’s a bigger picture here. I really believe in showing up and serving wherever we’re called, even if it means doing things outside my comfort zone.
Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.
