As part of President Obama’s efforts to identify ways to improve the academic achievement of African American students and better prepare them for college, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) is launching a series of education summits. The series will bring together leaders in education, business and other fields for conversations about what is needed to keep students engaged in school and supported throughout their learning process.
The first summit will take place at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, with the theme to be discussed, “Setting the Stage: Socio-Cultural Factors Impacting African American Boys and Men.â€
In July 2012, President Obama launched the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans to help accelerate national efforts to support African American students. To accomplish the President’s ambitious goal of America again having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, African American students have to be better prepared for college and professional careers through raising standards for our nation’s schools, according to a statement released by the White House.
The upcoming education summits will also highlight individuals and organizations that are successfully supporting educational excellence. Another objective is to work with parents, grandparents, guardians, and other caring adults in the community to help improve high school graduation rates among African Americans.
Each summit will focus on a different theme:
February 13-14 at Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga.
Topic: Setting the Stage: Socio-Cultural Factors Impacting African American Boys and Men
April 25-26 at Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss.
Topic: Mental and Physical Health and Well Being
June 13-14 at Laney College, Oakland, Calif.
Topic: Education and Employment
October 24-25 at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Topic: Justice and Safety
For a list of speakers and a complete agenda for the Atlanta Summit, click here.