On April 8-9, the University of Memphis’ Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change will hold its annual conference on education and its greater impact on the Memphis community at large. How do we shape and reform our educational system to prepare students for the 21st Century? How can education increase economic opportunities for individuals and their communities? This conference on Education as a Civil Right and Economic Driver will examine the evolution of education in the United States , global and national trends in education, and local and national efforts to create “quality” schooling. The conference will also examine the alignment, if any, between the educational attainment of a communities’ population with the communities’ success in creating and attracting economic opportunities. In addition, the continuing relevance of race as it related to education and upward mobility of minorities will be explored.
A number of nationally recognized officials will present their thoughts and findings at the conference, including (but not limited to) Bruce A. Fuchs, Director, Office of Science Education National Institutes of Health (Washington, DC); John Morton, Managing Director, Programming Planning and Economic Policy, The Pew Center on the States (Washington, DC); and Lynn Huntley, President, Southern Education Foundation (Atlanta, GA).
Keynote addresses will be given by Richard D. Legon, President, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (Washington, DC) and Steve Perry, founder of Capitol Preparatory Magnet School (Hartford, CT), on Thursday and Friday respectively. Perry, a writer for Essence magazine and a featured person on CNN’s Black in America, has captained a school program that has placed every one of its graduating students in four-year colleges during its six years of existence.
The conference will be held at the Michael D. Rose Theatre, 470 University street. Admission is free and all sessions are open to the public. Click here for more information, including a conference schedule.
