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Massachusetts Governor Patrick, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and Ford Foundation President Ubinas Are Keynote Speakers at Prep for Prep Conference

Business Wire, May 7, 2008

National conference to focus on education programs and leadership development opportunities for high-achieving minority students

NEW YORK -- Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick, Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker, and Ford Foundation President Luis A. Ubinas will deliver the keynote addresses at Prep for Prep's inaugural Smart Connections conference on Friday, May 9, 2008 at the Time Warner Conference Center in New York City.

Nearly 200 leading educators, social entrepreneurs, and nonprofit executives from across the United States, Argentina, South Africa, and India will attend the conference, which will focus on creating and expanding successful education and leadership development programs for talented young people of color.

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The title of the conference, Untapped: Building a Future of Diverse Leadership, may seem ironic given that the United States may be on the verge of an historic first--the nomination of an African-American candidate for President by a major political party. However Prep for Prep's Chief Executive, Aileen C. Hefferren, notes that the nation still has a long way to go in its efforts to diversify its leadership class.

"The symbolic value of iconic leaders like Barack Obama should not be underestimated, but neither should it be overstated," Hefferren observes. "It is far removed from the broader leadership that shapes one's daily life: the editor of your daily paper, the head of your hospital, the CEO of your company. That kind of widespread leadership is still very much missing in America, and its absence will continue to inform and energize our collective efforts for years to come," she concludes.

Smart Connections is an initiative launched by Prep for Prep in 2007. Through conferences and consulting, Prep has begun formally sharing its experience and best practices with similar organizations and social entrepreneurs. Funded by grants from the Goldman Sachs Foundation and Time Warner, Inc., Friday's conference will be the first in an ongoing series of conferences held biennially.

Among the notable panelists and presenters scheduled to speak Friday are Deborah Bial, Founder and President of the Posse Foundation; Roger Banks, Director of Minority Recruitment at Harvard University; Dave Levin, Co-Founder of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program); and New York University professor Pedro Noguera.

About Prep for Prep: Founded in 1978, Prep for Prep identifies New York City's highest achieving students of color, most of whom come from modest backgrounds, and prepares them to succeed at the best independent schools in New York City, the top boarding schools in the country, and the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world. Prep provides ongoing support to ensure the academic accomplishment and leadership development of each one of its students. More than 1,500 Prep students have earned their undergraduate degrees since the program's founding; over 90% from Ivy League universities or other highly competitive colleges. An additional 1,600 Prep for Prep students currently attend New York City independent schools, boarding schools, or are enrolled as college undergraduates.

Business Services Industry

Massachusetts Governor Patrick, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and Ford Foundation President Ubinas Are Keynote Speakers at Prep for Prep Conference

Business Wire, May 7, 2008

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