URBAN LEAGUE’S SUMMIT TARGETS DISPARITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION GRADUATIONS

The University of Louisville’s new head football coach, Charlie Strong, will address the Louisville Urban League 2010 Education Summit on the importance of young people being prepared academically to go to college and completing their degree. The Summit, which is free and open to the public, will be held Saturday, February 20^th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Central High School, located at 1130 West Chestnut. The theme of the Summit is “Growing a College Going Culture: What will it take to accomplish this in the African American community?”

Community to Discuss Ways to Grow College Going Culture

A recent report of the Greater Louisville Project states that only 13% of Louisville metro’s African Americans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher post-secondary education credential – the lowest among Louisville’s 15 peer cities.  This fact creates a sense of urgency, as regional workforce demand projections estimate over 60% of the jobs in 2020 will require a post-secondary education and 28% will require a bachelor’s degree.

“To remain competitive as a city, we need more citizens with baccalaureate degrees,” said Ben Richmond, LUL’s President/CEO. “Among Louisville’s benchmark cities, we rated last in terms of African Americans with baccalaureate degrees.  This is unacceptable and we need the community to engage in identifying solutions. This is the focus for the 2010 Education Summit.”

Following Strong’s keynote address, Dr. Leonard Moore, a history professor from the University of Texas at Austin and national expert in helping communities and higher education institutions to grow the pipeline of minority students, will frame and facilitate the dialogue among the estimated 200 to 300 attendees. The community dialogue will result in solutions and recommendations that will lead to more African Americans who are college ready, entering college, and graduating with a degree. 

The Education Summit will also provide one-stop access for students, parents/caregivers and others to over 30 higher education institutions and family support organizations who will exhibit their admissions, financial assistance, scholarships and other special programs.

Individuals interested in participating in the Louisville Urban League’s Education Summit should register in advance by going online at www.lul.org or by calling (502) 566-3383.  Registration is also available at the door the day of the event.   CLICK HERE to Register!