David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, will visit Los Angeles Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 27-29 to participate in a back-to-school Rally at Palisades Charter High School and serve as a panelist on social justice at an event hosted by BlackOut Entertainment.
On Thursday, Executive Director David Johns will participate in a town hall discussion hosted by the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and United Teachers Los Angeles. The town hall is designed to engage students and educators in supporting the continued learning and development of African American students. It will also provide a platform for students, educators, and members of the community to engage in a bilateral conversation in ways that will inform reflection, empower educators and improve practice.
On Friday, Johns will join a back-to-school rally at Palisades Charter High School, hosted by Los Angeles County Unified School District (LAUSD). He will engage in a series of public addresses, classroom visits and roundtable discussions with student leaders and faculty to highlight opportunities to accelerate postsecondary education success. The event is part of a larger collaboration with LAUSD to increase community engagement in helping African American and other students from traditionally under-supported communities.
On Saturday, Johns will participate as a speaker on the "Social Justice" panel for the BlackOut Entertainment & Social Justice Event. He will address increasing educational excellence for African Americans, and the intersections of social justice, education and development. This event will focus on minorities understanding social justice and the integral role education plays. The town-hall style conversation will comprise of a total of four panelists.