Harlem Children’s Zone Founder & President to Speak in Poughkeepsie on April 9

Geoffrey Canada, president and founder of Harlem Children’s Zone and founder of William Julius Wilson Institute, will speak at Sojourner Truth Elementary School on April 9.

The event, which will begin at 6:15 p.m., is titled “Putting Kids First: Unlocking the Promise of Poughkeepsie,” presented by the Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet.

The Children’s Cabinet brings together the school districts, government agencies, child-serving community organizations, health providers and other local stakeholders to improve their ability to collaborate and coordinate youth supports and services.

Mayor Flowers and Poughkeepsie School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser are co-chairs of Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet Leadership Council.

The Cabinet’s approach to connecting students with cradle-to-career support by bringing together the city’s schools, government and institutions is heavily influenced by the work done by Canada’s programs.

Attendees can expect Canada to discuss not only the philosophies his organizations take to bolster residents and address inequities, but also how they can be directly applied within Poughkeepsie.

Sojourner Truth Elementary School is at 101 Mansion St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the 6:15 start time. As space within the school’s auditorium is limited, attendees are asked to RSVP at this link, or scan the QR code.