21st Century Education for All!

Stefani Zinerman believes that every child deserves a free, high quality, fully-funded, public Pre-K to 12th grade education followed by access to diverse opportunities for affordable vocational or university education. This includes fully funding the Campaign for Fiscal Equity including the $3.9 billion in foundation aid for New York City Public Schools, expanding funding for Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs, expanding the number of community schools that offer high-quality academic enrichment and physical and mental health programs that are conducted by licensed or certified school social workers, and service students and families. In addition, Ms. Zinerman holds that we must also invest $332 Million in CUNY by closing the TAP $86 Million (Tuition Assistance Program) Gap and $150 million to increase the pay for college professors, especially the adjunct faculty members who struggle under the burden of student loans and the high cost of living in New York. She is committed to identifying funding for maintenance of our public university system and innovation and new career pathways in SUNY’s Global Cannabis Center for Science, Research, and Education and the Offshore Wind Training Institute. Stefani champions the support of basic needs of college students by providing access to child care at community colleges, mental health tele-counseling and small business development centers. VOTE!

In today’s episode of 21st Century Education for All, I interview one of the Sankofa Global Project’s first advisors, Henry Sohn. Mr. Sohn provided valuable insight and guidance as I ventured into the world of entrepreneurship! Henry Sohn has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry spanning product, general management, operations and strategy. He joined Yahoo!'s product team in 1996 and was one of Yahoo!'s earliest employees. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Business Operations at DataTorrent, Inc. Prior positions include Chief of Staff & VP Business Management to CTO at Yahoo!, Chief Product Officer, Flurry, Inc., VP Gateway.com, Vice President & General Manager of Front Doors & Central Services, Yahoo!.

In today's episode of 21st Century of Education for All, I have the privilege of sharing the journey and intelligence, brilliance, and drive of my brother, Dr. Darin Gray. Darin Gray is a Bio-Medical, Electrical Engineer, Mathematician, Educator, and a Co-Director of USC Viterbi School of Engineering K-12 STEM Center. 

Dr. Gray shares his journey of growing up in Detroit - the challenges and triumphs - attending a prestigious private school in New York, and his path to pursuing a career as an engineer. His commitment to seeing students succeed in math steered him to becoming a leader in Alternative Education in Los Angeles.

Dr. Darin Gray is an inspirational educator leader who urges students, families, and communities to become co-creators of their learning.

Randi B - “Real talk: I do want to change the world (not in a grand Martin  Luther King way but in my own small way). I grew up sitting around a  large table, eating good food and talking with all types of folks who  held differing opinions on various topics. While people may have  disagreed, we exchanged ideas and perspectives, we listened and we  learned from one another. At the end, everyone may have still had  conflicting opinions, but we all respected the other person. I  quickly learned that the rest of the world wasn’t like my dining room  table. I learned as the only Black kid in my elementary school about the  differences in races, culture and religions. I learned during my time  at the HBCU, Tuskegee University, about the importance of pride,  self-love and communication. After earning my Masters at William &  Mary and starting as a teacher at a high school comprised of teens  speaking 37 languages, I learned of the importance of cross-cultural  understanding, awareness and respect. My PhD studies at the University  of Virginia taught me fundamentals about communication, behaviors and  the keys to true change.”