WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- At its forthcoming November 15 Annual Meeting, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region will present the fourth installment of its ongoing public discussion forum, "Putting Race on the Table." The discussion will focus on increasing public awareness about the impact of racial, ethnic and class inequalities in our region, and the resulting racial and ethnic achievement gap. The event, sponsored by The Community Foundation, Freddie Mac and Wachovia, is free and open to the public.
"The unfortunate truth is, competitive academic opportunities are too often limited to students with economic resources," says Terri Lee Freeman, President of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. "We at The Community Foundation believe that the promise of all our youth must be protected and nurtured. Their educational success is critical to our region's continued vitality and growth."
"Putting Race on the Table" will feature keynote speaker Dr. Robert F. Ferguson, Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by well-known television and radio host Kojo Nnamdi of WAMU-FM and WHUT-TV. Panelists are Gabriel Benn, M.Ed., Administrator and Teacher, Rock Creek Academy; Dr. Nataki Reynolds, Principal, Maya Angelou Public Charter School; Dr. Robert G. Smith, Superintendent, Arlington County Public Schools; and David Stewart, a recent graduate of Friendship Edison Public Charter School.
The event is just one way that The Community Foundation is taking a leadership role in improving educational opportunities for young people in the region. In addition, The Foundation recently selected 15 outstanding area nonprofits working to strengthen our public schools through advocacy, increased parental involvement, and more rigorous curricula. These organizations are featured in The Foundation's 2006-07 Spirit of Giving Guide, which is being released at the November 15 forum and distributed widely.
"Putting Race on the Table" will be presented from 11:30am to 2:00pm on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 in the Grand Ballroom at George Washington University's Marvin Center. Reservations can be made by calling The Community Foundation at (202) 973-2501, or via email at rsvp@cfncr.org.
Established in 1973, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is dedicated to facilitating individual, family and organizational philanthropy in order to make the Washington metropolitan area a better place to live. Its regional network includes three affiliates -- The Alexandria Community Trust, The Prince George's Community Foundation, and The Montgomery County Community Foundation. The Foundation and its donors are the foremost funders of Washington-area charities, awarding some $91M in grant funds in FY2006.
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3032