Ivory Toldson, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will keynote the California Association of African-American School Educators Annual Convening on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in San Diego. The theme of this year’s convening is "Technology Leading the Way to Academic Success for African-American Males and Other Students of Color." In keeping with the theme, Toldson’s remarks will highlight the importance of technology in educating students of color, how technology can be leveraged to transform learning in the future, and President Obama's ConnectED initiative.
In addition, Toldson will discuss the role of HBCUs in diversifying the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions, and investments the Obama Administration has made in STEM education. Following his remarks, Toldson will join a panel of superintendents to continue the discussion.
President Obama launched "My Brother’s Keeper" and issued a call to action to close opportunity gaps for all youth, including boys and young men of color. The President's announcement encouraged candid dialogues around the country and a greater sense of responsibility among community leaders and young people themselves to put all youth in positions to thrive, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.