Brenda Girton-Mitchell , the U.S. Education Department's Director of the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, will give the keynote address at a community engagement meeting at 5:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, May 22, in Gary, Indiana. She will be introduced by the mayor of Gary, Karen Freeman-Wilson.
Entitled "How do we create a framework of support to help improve education for all youth in the city of Gary?," the meeting will include some 300 school representatives, service providers, community organizers, and other stakeholders who will discuss strategies to advance learning, enhance student engagement and improve schools.
Following Girton-Mitchell's remarks, meeting participants will take part in breakout sessions that explore such topics as afterschool and summer programs, college and career readiness, early childhood education, remediation and support, mentoring, and resources for teachers.