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In This Issue:
At left, students from the Mission Grammar School Gospel Choir perform. At right, Geoffrey Canada speaks to a packed Bornstein Amphitheater.
For more than a decade, author and children’s advocate Geoffrey Canada has been challenging parents, teachers and community members to get involved and address the education crisis in America. Last week, he brought his inspiring message to BWH.
“I advocate for (education) because of what Dr. King stood for,” said Canada, whose advocacy work in public education has been featured on “60 Minutes” and in the documentary “Waiting for Superman.”
He added, “Dr. King wanted to have an America where everyone got the same chance to succeed, and that means every child should have the same chance at getting the best education.”
More than 200 BWHers filled the Bornstein Amphitheater to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. last week and heard Canada speak about education reform and how every child has the potential to succeed if given the proper tools and continued support. He also spoke about his work as president and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, which offers support to children from birth through college.
“The only people who are going to save your kids are you. If you don’t do it, it’s not going to be done,” Canada said.
BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD, spoke about the importance of the work that BWH employees are doing with youth in the community through Human Resources, the Center for Community Health and Health Equity and other departments. “Dr. King’s spirit is very much alive today in our hearts and minds as we at Brigham and Women’s work to reduce disparities in health care, improve the health of our communities and create pathways into health professions for those who have traditionally been under-represented,” she said.
The event also featured a performance by the Mission Grammar School Gospel Choir and the recognition of this year’s YMCA Achievers Awards (see story at left). A reception hosted by the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners and the BWH Young Professionals’ Group followed in Pod B.
View a photo gallery of the event and a video of your colleagues’ responses to Canada’s presentation.