More than 650 Black leaders in the education reform movement will gather at The Peabody Orlando from March 14-16, 2013 for the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) Symposium 2013. In its 13th year, the BAEO Symposium is the largest gathering of Black education reformers in the country.
The theme of this year’s Symposium is “College Readiness: The New North Star.” Among the 650 participants will be 100 African-American rising high school seniors from across the country participating in the Symposium’s first ever College Readiness Two-Day Boot Camp.
The two-day symposium will open with Florida’s Education Commissioner Tony Bennett delivering the welcome address on Thursday, March 14 at 6 pm. Bennett has been a long-standing proponent of parental choice and education reform.
Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, Pastor, and founder of the Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology (GREAAT) Charter School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will deliver the keynote address on Friday at 11:30 am during the luncheon session.
BAEO is the only Black organization representing the Black community in the education reform and parental choice movement. Each year the organization hosts its annual Symposium to provide a platform for focused conversations around the critical need of ensuring that all children, especially children from low-income and working class Black families, have access to a high-quality education.
Other highlights of BAEO Symposium 2013 include:
· College Readiness and Success Boot Camp for Rising Seniors
(Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15)
The two-day Boot Camp led by coaches from Beyond 12 will help students prepare for college enrollment, persistence and success. The Boot Camp will also include a screening and discussion of FIRST GENERATION, a film documentary narrated by Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood that tells the story of four high school students who set out to break the cycle of poverty and bring hope to their families and communities by achieving a college education.
· Apple to Showcase 21st century Teaching and Learning
(Friday, March 15)
Apple will share 21st century teaching and learning environments by sponsoring a “hands- on” classroom experience using iPads and a visit to Ocoee Middle School, an Apple Distinguished middle school.
· Screening of Award-Winning Documentary AMERICAN PROMISE
(Friday, March 14 – 8 a.m.)
An award-winning recipient at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, the groundbreaking documentary AMERICAN PROMISE explores race, class and educational opportunities for two African-American boys and their families over 12 years.
If you are putting together a DVD of this symposium please let me know. I would be interested in new developments. Thank you.