Dr Shawn Joseph will be the speaker for the Urban League of Middle Tennessee’s 50th Anniversary Equal Opportunity Day Luncheon.
The Urban League of Middle Tennessee will host their 50th Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Celebration Luncheon on February 21, 2018 at the Hilton Nashville Downtown. For over fifty years the Urban League has maintained a strong presence in Middle Tennessee, providing assistance to underserved people in our community. They are eager to welcome you to their annual program, this year celebrating 50 years of accomplishments, with their staff and supporters this February. The event is held each year during African American History Month.
The program begins at 11:00 am and will run until 1:00 pm. This year’s speaker is the Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, Dr. Shawn Joseph. Dr. Shawn Joseph is the current Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools. He is an experienced educator who has fought for excellence and equity for every student he has served in his more than 20-year career. Dr. Joseph has served as a teacher, principal, district administrator, deputy superintendent and superintendent. Before moving to Nashville, he was the head of teaching and learning in Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland. Prior to that, he was the superintendent of the Seaford County District in Seaford, Delaware.
His work has garnered national recognition, and his expertise has been sought by other districts during transitional periods. He has won numerous awards for his work and service. He is also a published author and researcher, with articles in top, peer-reviewed journals of education on topics like strategic planning and principal development. In 2012, Dr. Joseph published the book The Principal’s Guide to the First 100 Days of the School Year: Creating Instructional Momentum.
Dr. Joseph considers himself a lifelong learner and holds three degrees from Lincoln University, Johns Hopkins University and The George Washington University. He and his wife, Ocheze Joseph, who is also a public school educator, have two school-aged children.
Proceeds from the annual EOD activities benefit the many educational and workforce development programs provided through the Urban League. The event is a luncheon held annually, usually attended by more than 350 Middle Tennesseans in support of the Urban League’s mission. Attendees always enjoy the comaraderie this day brings. Many corporations participate each year, showing their support and coming together for Equal Opportunity Day.
The Urban League of Middle Tennessee was established in 1968 by a group of local community and business leaders, originally as the Nashville Urban League.
They consistently impact youth and adults by providing job seeking assistance, training, and college tours for high school students. Emplo-yment resulting from Urban League of Middle Tennessee services returns millions of dollars annually in wages earned by ULMT clients back into the greater Nashville economy. Through their work, they support clients in gaining access to the economic self-reliance.
Urban League of Middle Tennessee employs a Five-point Strategy. Youth and Educational Empowerment ensures the education of all children by providing access to early childhood literacy, after-care programs and college scholarships. Workforce Development Empowerment invests in the financial literacy and employability of adults. Health and Quality of Life Empowerment promotes community wellness through a focus on prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and access to affordable healthcare. Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment encourages all people to take an active role through participation in comm-unity service projects and public policy initiatives. Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment guarantees equal participation in all facets of American society through proactive public policies and community-based programs.
Act now to secure a seat at a table at this year’s luncheon by phone, 615-254-0525 or Clifton Harris currently serves as the President and CEO of the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, and you can email him at charris@urbanleagueofmidtn.org
