National Forum on Education Equity

About the Event

Stride’s commitment to support racial and socioeconomic equity in education includes examining ways to enhance and provide access to high-quality opportunities for students and families lacking such options in their communities.

On February 3, 2021, Stride hosted the first-ever National Forum on Education Equity, a virtual event designed to help promote dialogue and share concrete strategies to address racial and education disparities impacting Black Americans.

A collage featuring four distinct images of diverse business professionals engaged in various work-related activities.

“There is perhaps no more important challenge to address in our society than the racial and economic disparities that continue to exist within America’s education system,” said Nate Davis, former Stride’s Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Achieving real education equity for Black and brown students requires collaboration, courage and political will, and that is what we hope to promote through the National Forum on Education Equity.”

—Nate Davis, Former Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Stride, Inc.

Nate Davis photo
A family of four joyfully sitting together on a cozy couch, sharing smiles and enjoying each other's company.

Featured Sessions

Welcome & Introduction

Nate Davis, Former Executive Chairman of the Board, Stride, Inc.

Roland Martin, Television & Radio Host, Former CNN Contributor

Building the Next Generation of Black Educators

Suzanne Elise Walsh, President, Bennett College

Dr. Michael McFarland, President, National Alliance of Black School Educators

Katara Williams, Chief of Staff, Southern University System

Moderator: Leilani Brown, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Stride, Inc.

Eliminating the Digital Divide

Antoinette Cook Bush, Executive VP & Global Head of Government Affairs, News Corp

Anthony Neal-Graves​, Chief Information Officer & Executive Director, State of Colorado

William Kennard, Chairman of the Board, AT&T

Moderator: Nate Davis, Executive Chairman of the Board, Stride, Inc.

Empowering Black Families with Education Options

Alisha Thomas Morgan, Former State Legislator, Georgia House of Representatives & Special Advisor to National Coalition for Public School Options

Derrell Bradford, Executive Vice President, 50CAN

David Hardy, Retired Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia

Moderator: Peter C. Groff, Former President, Colorado State Senate & Obama Administration Official

Setting Aside Differences in Pursuit of Education and Racial Equity

Meshea Poore, Vice President, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, West Virginia University

Anitere Flores, Former Member, Florida State Senate

Hon. Angela Williams, Senior Director, External Affairs, Stride, Inc. and Former Colorado State Senator

Moderator: Kevin P. Chavous, President, Academic Policy & External

Closing Remarks

Nate Davis, Former Executive Chairman of the Board, Stride, Inc.

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Event Welcome and Introduction

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Event Welcome and Introduction

Event Welcome and Introduction

Building the Next Generation of Black Educators

Building the Next Generation of Black Educators

Eliminating the Digital Divide

Eliminating the Digital Divide

Empowering Black Families with Education Options

Empowering Black Families with Education Options

Setting Aside Differences in Pursuit of Education and Racial Equity

Setting Aside Differences in Pursuit of Education and Racial Equity

Closing

Closing