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PIPELINE CRISIS/WINNING STRATEGIES PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON EARLY EDUCATION FOR BLACK YOUTH IN NYC AT ANNUAL AWARDS EVENT

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Event raises more than $200,000 to fund early education programs in Brooklyn

June 16, 2010  Printable Version

New York, NY – The Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies Early Care and Education Working Group hosted its annual “Young Black Leaders of Tomorrow” luncheon to draw attention to the urgent need to provide young black males with the highest quality care and education from birth through kindergarten. At the event, Marilyn F. Booker, Managing Director and Head of Diversity, North America at Morgan Stanley and Alan M. Cohen, Global Head of Compliance at Goldman Sachs were honored for their leadership in advancing and promoting high quality early education for black youth. 

"Morgan Stanley as a Firm is committed to building the pipeline of diverse talent for financial services and other industries, and enhancing career opportunities for African-American youth is an important component of that commitment," said Tom Nides, Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanley. "Marilyn's long-standing efforts to reach out to this community and harness its talent and potential embody our Firm's culture of inclusion and spirit of giving back to the community.  We are particularly proud that Marilyn's honor coincides with Morgan Stanley Global Volunteer Month, which we celebrate each June." 

The Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies initiative seeks to reverse the rising school drop out, unemployment, and incarceration rates that have significantly reduced the number of young black men in the pipeline to higher education and professional careers.  Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the Winning Strategies Early Care and Education Fund which supports intensive professional development to five child care centers in East New York, Brooklyn, with the ultimate goal of informing policy reforms for quality improvement efforts and improved educational outcomes at the very beginning of the pipeline.

"Research shows that strategic investments in the early educational experiences of children can benefit them throughout the course of their life time. This is true for all children but especially Black males who are overrepresented among our most vulnerable students," said Pedro Noguera, the luncheon’s featured speaker,who is Professor of Teaching and Learning at New York University and Executive Director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education.

“The Pipeline Crisis Early Care and Education Working Group are addressing a growing issue in our society. A child cannot walk down the path to leadership without the right foundation. It is imperative that we continue to find innovative solutions to help educate the children in our communities,” said Greg Palm, General Counsel for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. “Goldman Sachs congratulates Alan for his commitment to this initiative. Alan and the Working Group are helping to cultivate future leaders of companies across our country.  This is a vital task and Alan’s leadership is an important example for us all.”

Leaders from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and United Way of New York City announced that the event raised more than $200,000.  United Way of New York City manages the fund supporting the work undertaken by the Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies Early Care and Education Working Group.

“We need to continue to raise the bar when it comes to early education and learning programs in New York City and across the country,” said United Way of New York City President and CEO, Gordon Campbell. “Preparing all our children to meet the highest standards of success means providing the highest quality care and education from pre-kindergarten on. The Pipeline initiative strikes at the root causes of this problem and looks for innovative solutions to ensure that every child in New York City receives a quality education, regardless of race or income.”

ABOUT PIPELINE CRISIS/WINNING STRATEGIES
Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies was established to engage the private sector in closing the social and economic divides for young black men. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Harvard Law School’s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice launched the initiative to address the rising rates of school drop outs, unemployment, and incarceration that have significantly reduced the number of young black men in the pipeline to higher education and professional careers. Pipeline has since identified and is marshalling support for a range of “winning strategies” that have proven effective in combating the alarming rate at which young black men are slipping through the cracks.

ABOUT THE PIPELINE EARLY CARE & EDUCATION WORKING GROUP
The Pipeline Early Care & Education Working Group aims to provide young black males with the highest quality care and education from birth through kindergarten, at the very beginning of the pipeline. The Working Group, in conjunction with United Way of New York City, established the Winning Strategies Early Care & Education Fund which is currently supporting a model focused on providing intensive professional development to five child care centers in East New York, Brooklyn and ultimately informing policy reforms for quality improvement efforts and improved educational outcomes.

ABOUT UNITED WAY FOR NEW YORK CITY
United Way of New York City (UWNYC) brings together people, resources and ideas to achieve long-lasting systemic changes that improve the education, income stability and health of low-income New Yorkers, and foster a more robust and effective nonprofit sector. We believe that everyone has a role in building a better future for all. We offer diverse opportunities for New Yorkers to give, advocate and volunteer to advance the common good. To learn more about our work and how to get involved, visit www.unitedwaynyc.org.

CONTACT:

Kathy Walling United Way of New York City (212) 251-2476 KWalling@uwnyc.org

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