A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers is a celebration of the highest performing educators in DC Public Schools.

DC Public Education Fund (‘the Education Fund’) today announced the addition of Grammy award-winning recording artist and philanthropist John Legend to the program for the second annual A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers event, which will take place on September 19, 2011.

“Great teachers can make all the difference in a child’s education,” said John Legend. “But too often those teachers are not celebrated for their hard work and commitment to student achievement. They deserve to be recognized for their efforts in the classroom.”

For the second year, the Education Fund presents A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers, hosted by NBC4’s Jim Vance, and produced by award-winning director and producer, George Stevens, Jr. Standing Ovation is the highlight of the Education Fund’s year-round efforts to help DCPS recruit, develop, reward, and retain great teachers. 

Last year, at the inaugural Standing Ovation, the business, arts, and philanthropic communities joined together and contributed generously to celebrate the men and women of DC Public Schools who earned the honor of being rated highly effective on the IMPACT evaluation system.

A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers is a critical piece in raising the profiles of DCPS’s great teachers, and in doing so, encouraging effective teaching and high student achievement in every classroom, in every school, in DC Public Schools. 

“Great teachers provide the critical foundation that our children need to succeed,” said DCPS Acting Chancellor Kaya Henderson, “I am delighted that John Legend will be performing at A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers, as a salute to the men and women that work hard every day to make sure that our children are prepared to excel in and out of the school yard.”

A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers takes place at 6:30pm on September 19, 2011, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, and to support great DC teachers, visit: www.standingovationfordcteachers.org.

About DC Public Education Fund: The mission of the Education Fund is to advance excellence in DC Public Schools through private philanthropy. The Education Fund works closely with the school system’s leadership to support effective teaching and high student achievement in every classroom, in every school, in DC Public Schools. 

The Education Fund has focused its efforts on three areas where it believes private funding can have the greatest impact on student learning: compelling and effective schools, great people, and data-driven decision-making. 

Since November 2007, the Education Fund has raised nearly $80 million in commitments on behalf of DC Public Schools from a diverse array of supporters, approximately 80% of whom are based in the DC metro area. Visit www.dceducationfund.org to learn more about the Education Fund.

Contact: Caroline Phillips, [email protected]

Apr 07, 2011

To "put boots on the ground" is a military tactic typically taken in the field of conflict to get a better assessment of the situation and, ultimately, an upper hand.

But this isn't just an effective technique for the military, says recording artist John Legend.

The nine-time Grammy Award winner is on a quest to ensure that every child in the USA has access to good education. Key to this effort? Classroom visits, he says. In fact, Legend had just wrapped up a visit to a middle school in Harlem, M.S. 410 Urban Assembly Institute for New Technologies in New York City, when we caught up by phone on Tuesday.

Kindness: Tell us about your visit.

John Legend: This school has been doing impressive work over the past two years, thanks to their partnership with Turnaround for Children (a non-profit working to provide kids with a better education at high poverty schools across America). It's part of my ongoing work with the Show Me Campaign (Legend's non-profit founded in 2007 to break the cycle of poverty through education. He has raised more than $2 million for these efforts to date).

Kindness: What does the Show Me Campaign do?

Legend: We focus very intently on advocating that every kid in America deserves to get a quality education. There are many different models for how that can be achieved. My goal is to bring attention to the programs that are working. As part of that process, we visit schools across the country — in New York City, Houston, Los Angeles and elsewhere — to learn what they are doing right. I'm pretty hands-on during my visits, talking with the students, teachers and principals about what's working.

Kindness: What are you hearing from students during these visits?

Legend: The culture and climate of a school is important to these kids. Many express the importance of being in an environment that protects them and provides a place where they can safely learn. When there's chaos outside the school, it hampers everything you're trying to do on the education side. If we really want to turn our under-performing schools around, then we must create a culture where kids can feel safe and protected.

We also need to have high expectations for them. At schools that are doing well, kids usually complain that they have a lot more homework. But they also know that because more is expected of them, they will be better off in the future. Schools need to expect great things from students, no matter what.

Kindness: How do you find the time to be so hands-on with this cause?

Legend: My philosophy in life is do things that I want to do every day. I make time for it. And yes, I'm writing songs, performing and making great money. But that's not enough for me. I feel that I can make a difference by lending a different voice to this cause. But I first have to understand the issues in order to speak intelligently about what needs to happen.

Kindness: What inspires your commitment to education?

Legend: Education was a big difference maker for me. I was home-schooled, and then went to private and public school for two years each. I was then able to go to the University of Pennsylvania (where his music career took off). I've seen how education can make such a great difference if you don't make a lot of money. Most people who grow up poor usually end up in the same place. To break the cycle, you have to get a good education. It's an equalizer and an important tool for empowerment.

Kindness: You've recently teamed up with Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow campaign. Why did this campaign resonate with you? (Legend is joining the company at its "Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Ceremony" in NYC today to announce the recipients of $1 million in technology awards. Five finalists were selected out of more than 1,100 schools from across the country that responded to the question: "How can science or math help improve the environment in your community?")

Legend: I commend and applaud a company like Samsung that understands that the future workforce of America depends on the quality of our schools and invests in their communities. Several of the schools that are winning grants [today] lack the money and access to technology that can make a difference to their students.

Kindness: If there was one thing that every American could do to make a difference when it comes to providing kids with access to a better education, what would it be?

Legend: There are a lot of ways to be involved, but most important is to be an informed voter. Education issues are a big part of the debate right now. Elect politicians who say they're going to fix the system and then back it up with good policies.

We need to hold our whole system accountable to make sure our kids learn and grow year to year. Superintendants, mayors, principals … if they're making excuses abut why they don't succeed, then they're not being accountable for their failures. We need real reform that's proven by results. We all have to be voters that care about that. It's so important. If a school is not working, the kids aren't the problem. We adults have to get our act together and provide these kids with a better environment to learn.

Kindness: What is your ultimate hope for these efforts?

Legend: We feel like we're not done until school reform is done. No matter where you go to school in America, you should be able to get a quality education regardless of your income level, background or race.

For Immediate Release

Contact:
 
Colleen Wilber, America’s Promise Alliance
(202) 657-0647
[email protected]

Maggie Neilson, The Show Me Campaign
(310) 573-8978
[email protected]

America’s Promise Alliance and John Legend’s Show Me Campaign Unite to Engage Communities in Dropout Prevention

Groups will Distribute Critically-Acclaimed Documentary Waiting for “Superman” DVDs and Facilitate Discussions and Action around High School Dropout Crisis

WASHINGTON –America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance) and John Legend’s Show Me Campaign announced today that they will collaborate to raise awareness about America’s high school dropout crisis in underserved communities. The organizations will distribute DVDs and social action toolkits for the critically acclaimed documentary Waiting for “Superman” to communities throughout the country and engage with these communities to reduce their high school dropout rates.

“This film provides such an intimate and powerful look into the challenges that many young people and their families in this country face in their quest to get a good education,” said Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO, America’s Promise Alliance. “It’s heartbreaking to think that the probability of success for many young people is often left to the luck of a school lottery or the quality of the school in their neighborhood. We are grateful to be partnering with the Show Me Campaign to help share the message of this film and inspire action in more communities.”

“Everybody has a role to play in fixing America's public schools,” said John Legend, Grammy award winning artist and founder of the Show Me Campaign. “The future of our nation depends on it.  I hope as many people as possible watch this film.  It will inform you and will hopefully inspire you to join the fight for education reform.”
Directed by Academy Award®-winning director Davis Guggenheim, Waiting for “Superman” examines the challenges and triumphs of the American public education system through the stories of real-life students and their families. The film was first released in spring 2010 and is a Paramount Pictures release of a Participant Media presentation in association with Walden Media.  

Both groups will work with their partner networks to identify communities to host screenings and distribute the DVD and toolkit packages through their chapter affiliates. Partners may include the following organizations: MENTOR, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the National PTA, Stand for Children, the Education Equality Project and others.

This partnership is part of the Alliance’s Grad Nation Campaign, a 10-year campaign to mobilize the entire nation to take action to reverse the dropout crisis and help achieve the overall national goal of increasing the graduation rate for all students to 90 percent by 2020.  Launched in March 2010 with the support of President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Grad Nation is the second phase of the Alliance’s highly successful Dropout Prevention Campaign launched in April 2008.  Between 2008 and 2010, the Alliance sponsored and helped co-convene 105 Dropout Prevention Summits in all 50 states bringing more than 40,000 policy, business, education, community and faith leaders together with nonprofits, parents and young people to discuss the dropout crisis in their communities and begin a dialogue on solutions around it.

To see a copy of the Alliance’s Waiting for “Superman” Toolkit visit: http://www.americaspromise.org/Our-Work/Grad-Nation/Waiting-for-Superman…

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About The Show Me Campaign

Created by Grammy Award-winning artist and philanthropist John Legend, the Show Me Campaign is a nonprofit organization that fights poverty using proven solutions. Believing that equal access to quality education is the civil rights issue of our time, the Show Me Campaign fights for education reform in the United States. Inspired by his work in education reform, Show Me Campaign’s founder John Legend wrote the song “Shine” for Waiting for “Superman,” Davis Guggenheim’s epic documentary about domestic education reform. More information can be found at www.showmecampaign.org.

About America’s Promise Alliance

America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth by raising awareness, supporting communities, and engaging in nonpartisan advocacy. Through our Grad Nation campaign, we harness the collective power of our partner network to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce.  Building on the legacy of our Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, the Alliance believes the success of our young people is grounded in the Five Promises—caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others.  For more information about America’s Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.
 

For Immediate Release:

Contact:

Lincoln Stephens, Program Director

The Marcus Graham Project

C. (972) 897-9985

[email protected]

www.marcusgrahamproject.org

THE MARCUS GRAHAM PROJECT & JOHN LEGEND’S THE SHOW ME CAMPAIGN PARTNER TO TAKE ACTION ON EDUCATION REFORM

2011 Boot Camp team to create iPad application to inspire solutions for providing children with a better education

Dallas, Texas, December 16, 2010 — The Marcus Graham Project, a national network of marketing professionals dedicated to the development of the next generation of thought leaders, announced today its pro bono partnership with The Show Me Campaign, a nonprofit organization created by Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend. As part of The Marcus Graham Project’s iCR8 Boot Camp program, aspiring advertising and marketing leaders will develop for The Show Me Campaign an iPad/iPhone application to raise awareness around the issue of education reform in the United States.

Now in its third year, the iCR8 Boot Camp isa 10-week leadership development program that provides students with an interest in advertising and marketing the opportunity to gain the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry. Participants of the previous summers have now landed jobs at Ohio State University, Wieden+Kennedy, RAPP, and The Richards Group.

The assignment for the selected iCR8 Boot Camp team members will be to create an iPad/iPhone application that educates Americans about the alarming dropout rates and the achievement gap statistics that exist in our public education system, showcases media content from partner organizations and projects such as the documentary, Waiting for “Superman,” and shares information about what The Show Me Campaign is doing to provide solutions.

“We need to make sure ALL American children receive a quality education, because a good education is inextricably linked to our fundamental rights as American citizens,” says John Legend. “I believe equal rights to education is the civil rights issue of our time, and we cannot stand idly by and allow this institutionalized inequality to continue.”

The U.S. education system is failing to educate our country’s future leaders, but many schools have proven successful solutions. The Show Me Campaign supports increased adoption of these models so all children can attend great schools.

Applications for the iCR8 Summer Boot Camp are still being accepted and the deadline has been extended to January 14, 2011.  Ideal candidates should seek to build resume experience, while gaining invaluable mentorship and knowledge about the industry. The application can be downloaded at http://www.marcusgrahamproject.org/MGP_Summer_Bootcamp_Application_Packet2011.pdf

Sponsorship opportunities for the summer boot camp are available for agencies, corporations, and private donors. For information on how to get involved and to request a sponsorship package, interested parties can email Lincoln Stephens at [email protected]or call (214) 810-6475.

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About The Marcus Graham Project

The Marcus Graham Project is a national network of diverse professionals who have purposed themselves in developing the next generation of thought leadership within the advertising, media and marketing industry. The vision of The Marcus Graham Project (MGP) is to provide long-term access to information, technology, financial and people resources that will strategically develop a viable pool of talent and leadership within the industry. The Marcus Graham Project is a 501 (c) 3 organization. More information about MGP can be found at: www.marcusgrahamproject.org

For interviews contact:

Lincoln Stephens, Program Director

The Marcus Graham Project

C. (972) 897-9985

[email protected]

www.marcusgrahamproject.org

About John Legend

Recording artist, concert performer and philanthropist John Legend has won six Grammy Awards and was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people. His new album collaboration with The Roots titled "WAKE UP!," inspired by socially conscious songs from the 60s and 70s and events of today, released in September 2010, features the song "Shine" that John wrote for Waiting for "Superman," Davis Guggenheim's epic documentary about domestic education reform, also released in September 2010.

Throughout his career, John has worked to make a difference in the lives of others. In 2007, John Legend launched The Show Me Campaign (ShowMeCampaign.org), an initiative that uses education to break the cycle of poverty. John sits on the Boards of The Education Equality Project, Teach for America, and the Harlem Village Academies.

About The Show Me Campaign

Created by Grammy award-winning artist John Legend, The Show Me Campaign is a nonprofit organization that fights poverty using proven solutions. Believing that equal access to quality education is the civil rights issue of our time, The Show Me Campaign fights for education reform in the United States. More information can be found at www.showmecampaign.org.