Back To School Program Connects Students With Living History

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  On Friday, September 23, 2011, as students across the country begin the new school year, 500 HistoryMakers will return to school to bring renewed attention to the needs of the nation's education system and their students. These HistoryMakers and schools are part of the nationwide 2nd Annual Back To School program sponsored by The HistoryMakers (www.thehistorymakers.com).

The HistoryMakers is  a nonprofit organization and the nation's largest African American video oral history archive.  With the 2nd Annual Back To School With The HistoryMakers program, living African American HistoryMakers will descend upon schools in nearly 109 cities and 35 states across the country to recount their own school experiences and the struggles they encountered on their paths to success.

The 2nd Annual Back To School With The HistoryMakers national participants include Senior Advisor to President Obama Valarie Jarrett, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, former Ambassador Andrew Young, singer/actress Melba Moore, Broadway choreographer George Faison, poet Nikki Giovanni, actress T'Keyah Crystal Keymah (Living Color, The Cosby Show) and poet/author Sonia Sanchez.

"It is vitally important for charter schools to participate in this national initiative because it has benefits that go both ways," says Andrew Broy, President of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. "The civic leaders participating in HistoryMakers will have the chance to see charter public school success first hand and charter school students will benefit from the programmatic support and leadership examples made possible through HistoryMakers," adds Broy.

The HistoryMakers Founder and Executive Director, Julieanna Richardson, states, "By bringing these living legends into the schools, we are raising awareness about the achievements of the accomplished African Americans in local communities and bringing these leaders into schools to see things firsthand."

Richardson is encouraging educators across the country to use multimedia resources such as The HistoryMakers' digital archive to enrich their students' exposure to the contributions of African Americans in every community.

The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is dedicated to the improvement of education by establishing high-quality charter public schools that transform lives and communities.  As the voice of the Illinois charter schools, INCS advocates for legislation on behalf of the charter sector, provides support to strengthen charter schools, and influences education policy for the benefit of all public school students.

Contacts: Sylvia Ewing
INCS 312-629-2063 ext. 33
Cell 773 575-0073

Julieanna Richardson
The HistoryMakers (312) 674-1900
JLR@thehistorymakers.com

SOURCE Illinois Network of Charter Schools