This year’s event will feature CCSD Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky and State Superintendent Steve Canavero, City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, and special celebrity guest Dee-1. Topics include progress of Victory and Turnaround schools, new Career and Technical education programs, plans to address disparities in discipline and proficiencies, Achievement School District overview, and progress on implementation of CCSD reorganization. Mr. Johns will discuss the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and US Department of Education guidelines that ensure equity in education. Mayor Goodman will share how the City of Las Vegas is working with CCSD through special programs such as Re Invent schools that will improve student achievement of African American students.
The evenings special guest David Augustine, AKA Dee-1 honed his lyrical skills while balancing two careers, teaching middle school children by day and performing at rap shows at night, and lives by his “Mission Vision” credo best summed up in his 3’s Up mantra: Be Real, Be Righteous, Be Relevant. In 2013 he signed with RCA records and last year hosted the BET Honors red carpet. A positive force in hip hop, Dee-1 shared the following message, “I’m the rapper that wants kids to walk away from my music motivated to finish high school. Or people to say that a Dee-1 song helped me when I was contemplating suicide. I just want to play a positive role.”
CCSD high school seniors interested in attending the African American Student Summit can register online at www.CCBlackCaucus.com directly or with their Black Student Union Adviser or school counselor. The Summit runs from 12 noon – 8:00 p.m. and includes free dinner and snacks, and free bus transportation from their high school. Although registration is NOT required to attend the Education Forum at 6:00 p.m., registration is required to participate in the Student Summit. Information regarding the education initiative is available at www.Operation32371.org.
Yvette Williams is a community advocate and Chair/Founder of the Clark County Black Caucus, a non-partisan community organization driven 100% by volunteer members registered to vote. Follow her Blog at www.YvetteBWilliams.com and on twitter @YvetteBWilliams or contact her at ClarkCountyBlackCaucus@gmail.com for more information.