White House Highlights Esther L. Bush as a “Champion of Change” for Educational Excellence for African Americans

Updated on August 8, 2013

Esther Bush PittsburghOn Tuesday, February 26th, the White House will honor ten leaders who have devoted their time and efforts to helping further education among African Americans. These individuals have provided exemplary leadership in the area of education in the African American community at the local, state or regional level.

“President Obama has made providing a complete and competitive education for all Americans – from cradle to career – a top priority,” said Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett.  That’s why, last summer, he signed an executive order to establish the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. This week, we look forward to welcoming Champions of Change who have been working to ensure that all African American students receive an education that fully prepares them for high school graduation, college completion, and productive careers.”

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative.  Each week, the White House features a group of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

An announcement will also be made at the event by Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan about the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. This initiative was established by an Executive Order signed by President Obama in 2012. The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans will work across Federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education programs for African American students.  The Initiative aims to ensure that all African American students receive an education that fully prepares them for high school graduation, college completion, and productive careers.

To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live at 4:30 pm ET on February 26th.

Esther L. Bush serves as the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh which was recently ranked as one of the nation’s top performing affiliates. Ms. Bush was appointed by Governors to serve on entities such as the PA State Board of Education, Law Enforcement and Community Relations Task Force,  and the Governor’s Commission on Academic Standards.  Ms. Bush has worked as a high school teacher, college administrator, corporate consultant, and executive at Urban League affiliates in New York (Staten Island and Manhattan branches), Hartford, and Pittsburgh. Ms. Bush holds a B.S. from Morgan State University, M.S. from Johns Hopkins University, and Honorary Doctorate degrees from University of Hartford, Carlow University, and Allegheny College.

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