Jackson Free Press

Ashington Koen Media along with local and outreach partners invite citizens of cities across the nation to a public conversation they're calling "Beyond the Bricks," which promotes advocacy on behalf of black males enrolled in public schools. The tour kicks off in Jackson Sept. 18 at Tougaloo College and will stop at nine other cities.

"Our national campaign is one we hope will bring all the community stakeholders together to inspire them to make necessary change happen, not only where they are but also beyond," Ouida Washington said in a statement about the event. Change is imperative, according to Washington Productions, when black and poor students are 70 percent more likely than their peers to be taught by instructors who aren't certified in the areas that they teach.

Panelists on the Tougaloo leg of the tour include Rep. Kelvin Buck, D-Holly Springs; Martha Alexander, deputy director of Operation Shoestring; JPS administrator Thelma Davis; WLBT reporter Howard Ballou; and Kendrick Cotton of the Young People's Project.

Registration for Beyond the Bricks is Saturday, Sept. 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at Woodworth Chapel on the Tougaloo College campus (500 W. County Line Rd.). The event runs until 2 p.m. Free.

Previous Comments

ID

159760

Comment

This sounds GREAT!

Author

justjess

Date

2010-09-15T11:16:44-06:00

ID

159783

Comment

Will any of these people actually propose policy changes or changes in laws or practices that they will enact in whatever capacity they hold? Or will it be another panel simply talking about solutions, rather than acting on them? Regardless, I will be there!!!!

Author

Renaldo Bryant

Date

2010-09-16T07:47:25-06:00

ID

159784

Comment

Good question, Blackwatch. I am pretty fed up with the presentation of goals and objected that are not time limited and without specific people taking resposibility for implementation. I will be there also and with the hope of becoming a part of something that can make a difference.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-09-16T08:16:56-06:00