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In the Spring 2003, several of us began meeting to discuss how we might bring together individuals from public schools, from colleges and universities, and from community organizations to discuss how we might promote high academic achievement for Boston's multiracial and multiethnic student population. We wanted to create an opportunity for representatives from all of these institutions to talk together, to learn together, and, most importantly, to think together about what we might do as a community to help all of our children reach their highest potential. It became clear to us that this conversation would be greatly enhanced if it were informed by the knowledge of some of the leading scholars in the field. We therefore decided to convene the 2004-2005 Race, Culture, Identity and Achievement lecture series. This is a modest effort designed to begin to create a common knowledge base among a group of concerned citizens.

The co-conveners for the 2007/2008 Race, Culture, Identity and Achievement seminar series are:

George Cox
Director
Center for Leadership Development
Boston Public Schools
Boston , Massachusetts

William Dandridge
Vice President for Urban Initiatives
Lesley University
Cambridge , Massachusetts

Theresa Perry
Professor
Africana Studies and Education
Simmons College
Boston , Massachusetts

Virginia Vogel Zanger
Boston Children's Museum
Vice President and Director
Harcourt Teacher Leadership Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Ruth Rodriguez
Board Member
Fenix Center for Innovative Schools
Lynn, Massachusetts

Rosann Tung
Director of Research
Center for Leadership Development
Boston Public Schools
Boston, Massachusetts


Paula Elliott
Assistant Professor of Education
Wheelock College
Boston, Massachusetts