Education Leaders to Showcase Talents At National Education Celebration
Bob Bowdon, Derrell Bradford, Kenneth Campbell, Paul Powell, & Joe Williams to perform at The Center for Education Reform’s 20th Anniversary Gala
CER Press Release
Washington, DC
September 9, 2013
The Center for Education Reform (CER) knows how to analyze and influence issues, and the group also knows how to throw a party. So it’s only natural that when CER, the organization dedicated to lasting, substantive and structural change turns 20 this fall, it will provide both substance and style at an anniversary conference and gala on Wednesday, October 9 in Washington, DC.
And to keep the celebration going well into the night, for the second consecutive gala CER will feature a home-grown musical group, “The Reformers.” Made up of successful education reform leaders by day and outstanding musical talents by night, “The Reformers” (a big hit at the CER’s 2011 gala debut) will place an exclamation mark on the event.
“CER at 20” will consist of a daytime conference featuring 25+ of the nation’s leading education reform pioneers and an evening gala where the group will honor–with EdReformies Awards – five individuals and one family foundation who have been the “classics” of the movement.
The members of The Reformers include:
• Bob Bowdon, Director, “The Cartel” and Founder, Choice Media;
• Derrell Bradford, Executive Director, Better Education for Kids, Inc. (B4K);
• Kenneth Campbell, President, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO);
• Paul Powell, founder of True North Troy Prep, Uncommon Schools; and
• Joe Williams, Executive Director, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER).
With a special guest appearance featuring Michael Horn, co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation.
The announcement of the return of the musical group “The Reformers” was made by Jeanne Allen, founder and president, CER, who is stepping aside from her current role on October 31 but who will forever be stepping up in the education reform movement. Allen will remain a CER Board member and serve as a senior fellow of the organization when Kara Kerwin, currently vice president, external affairs, CER, becomes president, CER, on November 1.
“Twenty years ago, when I set out to create the Center for Education Reform, my goal was to imbue it with a dedication to advocacy, but also with a spirit of camaraderie,” said Allen. “When ‘The Reformers’ took form leading into our 2011 gala it was a completely organic process that came about because the members of our movement love to work hard and to play hard. Obviously, they still do because ‘The Reformers’ are back for our Ratpack-themed gala, and I’m thrilled!”
Current sponsors of CER at 20 include Charter Schools USA, K12, Inc., Connections Education, GSV Advisors, Educational Ventures, Inc., Friendship Public Charter Schools, National Heritage Academies, Imagine Schools, The Klinsky Family Charitable Fund, National Charter School Institute, and the Michael R. and Ellen C. Sandler Family Foundation, Information on sponsoring or attending the CER 20th Anniversary Conference and Gala is available at events@reform.com. Registration is available online at www.edreform.com/20th-anniversary/tickets/
