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 2008/2009 Race, Culture, Identity and Achievement seminar series are:

Ilene Carver
Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
Center for Collaborative Education
Boston, MA

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

Ceronne Daly
Director of Community Engagement Initiatives
Office of Academic Affairs
Wheelock College
Boston, MA

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

Marya R. Levenson
Professor of the Practice in Education
The Harry S. Levitan Director of the Education Program
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Patricia Paugh
Assistant Professor
Graduate College of Education
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

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

Ruth Rodriguez
Family and Community Outreach Coordinator
Boston Day and Evening Academy
Roxbury, MA

Rosann Tung
Research Director
Center for Collaborative Education
Boston, MA

Darnell Williams
Educational Consultant
Vice President and Director
Boston, MA

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