Teach for America Holds Welcoming Event for the 41st Congressional Black Caucus

In a sea of blue and gold seats in the Blackburn East Ballroom sat Sharifa Edwards in business attire along with roughly 250 other Teach of America members and advocates. Listening attentively, Edwards felt welcomed and encouraged. On Thursday, September 22, Teach for America hosted a welcoming event for the 41st Congressional Black Caucus for the foundation's Annual Legislative Conference.

"I am impressed and inspired," Edwards said smiling from ear to ear. Edwards got her undergraduate degree in education and joined the Teach for America organization. "I am passionate about children," said Edwards. This event gave her time to reflect on her core values, she said.

Teach for America is an organization of diverse leaders who work together to provide a quality education to lower income families in order to close the achievement gap. With now 33,000 leaders in the program, more kids are ensured a better education. Teach for America is an organization that has many locations throughout the United States. The organization covers 43 regions.

Executive Vice President of People, Community & Diversity for Teach of America Aimée Eubanks Davis welcomed everyone and hosted the event.

The Keynote speaker of the evening was the Honorable Chaka Fattah, a representative for Pennsylvania's second congressional district. He mirrored the success of Howard Thurman who was given advice at a young age on how others can help low-income children achieve a better education.

Fattah believes that that "Howard and education are keys that open up opportunity."

Artis G. Hampshire-Cowan, senior vice president and secretary at Howard University reiterated the importance of "social engineering." Cowan believes that school systems need to push beyond the negative stereotypes.

"We need to lean into each other instead of pointing fingers," Cowan said. "We need to create the space necessary to close the gap for education."

Kaya Henderson, Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools, challenged the leaders of Teach of America at the Welcoming event.

"Don't be ashamed of who you are. […] Don't let other people define the way you lead. […] Do not pick sides," said Henderson. "Do not stop until our children achieve the same outcome as other children."

Edwards has seen firsthand the positive effects of Teach for America. She has been a teacher at Paul Public Charter School teaching ninth grade world history for two years. She believes that even with the progress the organization has made there is still more work that can be done.

"There is still a huge way to go," said Edwards. "We cannot do it through talking at events like seminars and panels. We need more action."

Matthew Kramer, president of Teach for America, believes also that more work needs to be done within the organization.

"There are issues with inclusion and diversity," said Kramer. "There is a struggle to equally feel a strong part of the community. […]We need to make it so that kids can have a free education. […] Progress has been made but there is so much to do".

At the end of the event Henderson received a round of applause as he emphasized the importance of getting involved. "If you are comfortable you are not doing enough," said Henderson, "Do whatever it takes to go out of your comfort zone and lead."