David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) will speak at a live forum entitled "Supporting Our Students: It Takes Everyone" that is being produced by NBC News Education Nation with Baltimore's WBAL-TV on Thursday, April 14, at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Johns will participate in a panel discussion on addressing the achievement gap and ensuring equity and excellence for all students. The panel will cover ways for parents to advocate for their child's education in their school; models for success in schools with high poverty rates; local organizations that support struggling students; and support for students inside and outside the classroom.
Other panelists joining Johns include Joe Manko, principal, Liberty Elementary School, Baltimore City and campus principal ambassador fellow, U.S. Department of Education; Dr. Dallas Dance, superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools; and Sarah Hemminger, chief executive officer and co-founder of Thread, founded in 2004 to empower Baltimore City teens to break the cycle of poverty.
NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis and WBAL-TV Education Reporter Dr. Tim Tooten will moderate the forum. The entire event will be streamed live on ParentToolkit.com/event, and the 7-8 p.m. hour will be broadcast live on WBAL-TV.