[‘I WILL GRADUATE DAY’ 2020\Youth Empowerment]
Tonya Lewis-Taylor, Co-founder of the I WILL GRADUATE Program: “The energy of thousands of committed youth excited to declare they will graduate from High School and College is like nothing else in the world, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to present I WILL GRADUATE DAY for the 13th year.”
Photo: Yvette McPherson/Safiya Christian
In an explosive day of events, the I WILL GRADUATE DAY 2020 NYC declared via official proclamation from Mayor Bill De Blasio the City of New York hosted at the world-famous Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York this past Thursday, January 9th, 2020.
The largest homegrown youth empowerment celebration of education to ever hit New York City, brought in thousands of extraordinary youth and their dedicated educators under the same roof. Gathered from all parts of the city to be inspired by this supercharged event, it was hosted by NYC’s Power 105.1 very own Angela Yee from The Breakfast Club. In collaboration with College Access for All Initiative by Chancellor Richard Carranza this event was joined by some powerful names, Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams and NYS Attorney General Leticia James in promoting a college-bound culture across all New York City schools.
Additional engaging speakers of the afternoon included Jamie Casper, (The Google Global Education Evangelist), NYC Majority Leader, Laurie A. Cumbo, City Councilwoman District 41, Alicka Ampry-Samuel, NYC City Councilwoman 45th District Farah Louis, District 40 Councilman Mathieu Eugene and Councilmember 36th District Robert E Cornegy as well as a collection of surprise performances from well known upcoming artists, social media influencers and community dance companies.
Island Def Jam Recording Artist Jufu, Ron Suno and Shiggy, along with The Powerhouse Dance Company KaiSokah USA Medgar Ever Preparatory High School Bloodline Dance Theater and Soul Tigers Marching Band provided show-stopping performances throughout the evening. These guests also shared personal experiences and illuminated the importance of education so as to leave students with the feeling of being re-energized, re-focused and re-committed to their education.
“Making a difference in the lives of the youth of New York City requires dedication, determination and resilience,” said Tonya Lewis-Taylor, Co-founder of the I WILL GRADUATE Program. “The energy of thousands of committed youth excited to declare they will graduate from High School and College is like nothing else in the world, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to present I WILL GRADUATE DAY for the 13th year.”
More than a one-day event, I WILL GRADUATE DAY is a citywide school initiative to increase graduation rates amongst at-risk students. Through engagement in college and career-ready curriculums, activities, workshops, and pep rallies to encourage students to be the solution in their communities, to stay in school and graduate while considering the possibilities of extending their education past high school.
The I WLLL GRADUATE Youth Development Program is dedicated to serving and empowering students, families and the community by communicating the importance of educational excellence. We accomplish our goals through youth development programs, arts-in-education, college and career guidance, mentoring, parent engagement, school and community workshops, exciting events and the use of multi-media platforms. We enlist the talents, resources of the music and entertainment industry along with prominent high profile individuals to stress the importance and coolness of being educated – “Smart is the New Cool.”
Visit www.iwillgraduateday.com or www.e4ea.org for more information on our programs and our organization.
