WASHINGTON, D.C. (Hispanic Business) February 4, 2007 On Feb. 6-7, 2007, the
Partners in Hispanic Education, consisting of the White House Initiative on
Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, the U.S. Department of
Education and some of the nation's leading Hispanic organizations, corporate
leaders and national private entities, will convene to host the third of seven
nationwide education outreach events for Hispanic American families.
The two-day Feria Educativa will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 in the
Repertory Theatre located on the campus of Eugenio Marνa de Hostos Community
College (CUNY) in the Bronx, N.Y. The program will consist of presentations,
plenary sessions and panel discussions on ideas aimed at closing the academic
achievement gap and improving college access for Hispanic Americans, our
nation's largest minority group. In addition, the Association for the
Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) will broadcast select portions of the
event to the Little Havana School in Miami, Fla., and George I. Sanchez
Charter High School campuses in Houston and San Antonio, Texas.
Eugene Hickok, acting deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education,
will address the conference on Friday afternoon at 1:15 p.m., to discuss the
impact of the No Child Left Behind Act on the Hispanic community. "No Child
Left Behind recognizes that every child can learn. It strikes a blow against
the soft bigotry of low expectations," said Deputy Secretary Hickok. "The law
gives all of us a new set of tools to increase student performance and give
every American the opportunity to achieve his or her dreams. We have an
obligation a duty to ensure that all children of Hispanic descent are
given the opportunity to fulfill their ambitions. And there is no more certain
path to realizing this goal than through education."
The event, organized by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Foundation (USHCC Foundation) and the National Council for Community and
Education Partnerships (NCCEP), will feature several resources available from
local schools, institutions, community-based organizations and businesses that
serve the Bronx community, along with programs from national organizations and
the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, attendees will have the
opportunity to participate in the USHCC Foundation's Youth Entrepreneurship
BizFest, a series of intensive training sessions for future business leaders.
"The path students take after high school will determine their success in
their professions and in life. That's why as business and community leaders we
have the responsibility to support Hispanic youths on their road to college and
post-secondary preparation," stated Frank Lopez, president of the USHCC
Foundation. "Feria Educativa takes it a step further by empowering young
Hispanics with the knowledge and tools that will help them make the right
decisions and become successful contributors to our society." NCCEP and the
USHCC Foundation serve as national lead partners for the Bronx event.
"Building a strong agenda for educational reform requires the collaborative
talents, experience and conviction of many people," stated Adam Chavarria,
executive director of the White House Initiative. "This Feria Educativa brings
together students, parents, educators, administrators, and community and
business leaders as important stakeholders in ensuring that Hispanic American
children achieve their fullest potential through academic excellence."
Partnership participants have committed to hosting a total of seven programs
over the next several months. Each will involve a series of events including
town hall meetings, a seminar on student financial aid and scholarships, and
educational workshops for parents, students, educators and business and
community leaders. Additional future pilot cities include Tucson, Ariz.;
Albuquerque, N.M.; El Paso, Texas; Las Cruces, N.M.; and Detroit, Mich.
The Partners in Hispanic Education members include the White House Initiative
on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans; United States Department of
Education; National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP);
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCC Foundation); MANA,
A National Latina Organization; Girl Scouts of the USA; Hispanic Association
of Colleges and Universities (HACU); State Farm; United States Army; National
Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP); Hispanic College Fund (HCF);
Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (CREO); National Society
of Hispanic MBA's (NSHMBA); Association for the Advancement of Mexican
Americans (AAMA); and the Cuban American National Council (CNC).
