The Power Up Series is a partnership between the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Excellence, Equity, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans (Initiative) and Discovery Education that consists of a collection of national, local, and virtual engagements in the Black community.
Power Up-Chicago draws direct connections to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s Raise the Bar (RTB) call to action to transform education and unite around what truly works—based on decades of experience and research—to advance educational equity and excellence. This event, with its explicit focus on Black students and families, contributes to broader departmental efforts to deliver a comprehensive, rigorous education for every student; boldly improve conditions for learning; ensure every student has a pathway to multilingualism and to college and careers; and increase college affordability and completion so more Americans can reach their dreams.
Thanks to the Initiative and Discovery Educations partnership, the Power Up Series provide opportunities to share federal resources with local Black communities directly from the source through information, innovation, and inspiration.
The following Power Up-Chicago events are open press for Day 1 and Day 2:
Event 1 – Wednesday, June 12
WHO:
Alexis K. Holmes, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
Ronique Hicks, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, Discovery Education
Matt Forte, Founder, What’s Your Fort Foundation
WHAT:
Opening and Welcome; What’s Your Fort?
WHEN:
June 12, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. CT
WHERE:
Malcolm X College
1900 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago
Event 2 – Thursday, June 13
WHO:
Alexis K. Holmes, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
Dr. Kortne Edogun-Ticey, Senior Advisor, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Acting Deputy Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
David Sanders, President, Malcolm X College
Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago
Pedro Martinez, CEO, Chicago Public Schools
State Senator Kimberly Lightford
WHAT:
Opening Remarks
WHEN:
June 13, 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CT
WHERE:
Malcolm X College
1900 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago
Event 3 – Thursday, June 13
WHO:
Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago
Malcolm Kenyatta, Chair of Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
WHAT:
Fireside Chat
WHEN:
June 13, 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CT
WHERE:
Malcolm X College
1900 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago
