Contact: Yamile Walker
Phone: (336) 373-2328

Noted Educator / Author Edward W. Robinson Jr. Coming to Greensboro
Robinson Led Effort to Mandate Teaching of
African and African American History in Philadelphia Schools

GREENSBORO, NC – (May 13, 2008) – The Greensboro Human Relations Commission's Education Committee and its community partners announce three opportunities to listen, learn, and dialogue about African and African American infused curriculum with Dr. Edward W. Robinson Jr.

Robinson was influential in ensuring that African and African American history was included in social studies, science, and mathematics curricula. He also produced the best-selling historical album, Black Rhapsody, delivered at William Penn High School, and co-authored The Journey of the Songhai People, considered by universities as a foundational history book

Robinson’s Greensboro schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, May 21 from 9 am to 12 noon
Guilford County School Board Room, 712 N. Eugene St.
This session is designated for members of the Guilford County Board of Education, Guilford County Commissioners, City Council members (Greensboro and High Point), State legislators, School Board Association, Businesses for Education Excellence, Police Departments (Greensboro and High Point, SROs), Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, Chamber of Commerce Education committees (Greensboro & High Point), college & university education department leaders.

Wednesday, May 21 from 6:30-8:30 pm
St. Philip AME Zion Church, 1330 Ashe St.
This session is open to all community members: teachers and other school personnel, parents, students, clergy, youth service providers, members of organizations, agencies, and business representatives interested in the betterment of our public school systems.

Thursday, May 22 from 9 am to 12 noon
Cultural Arts Center Board Room, 200 N. Davie St.
This session is designated for members of the Greensboro Human Relations Commission, education committee and invited guests.

In 2004, Robinson was awarded a contract with the Philadelphia Public School District to infuse African and African American history within the current social studies, science, and mathematics curricula from kindergarten to eighth grade for the 185,000-student school system. It is believed to be the only school district in the United States that mandates African history be taught.

Robinson has also produced an animated children’s video, The Songhai Princess, which became the winner of four national prizes; and co-authored with his wife, Harriette, the book, ‘Twas the Night Before Kwanzaa. He has created an art gallery consisting of the 100 Most Notable Africans and African Americans, together with a 400-word biography of each.

He has lectured extensively, receiving numerous awards and citations, such as the 2004 Martin Luther King Award of the Drum Major for Social Justice, and the 2004 Nation Builder Award presented by the National Black Caucus of State Representatives. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and recently received the Keynote Speaker Award for Achievement Week of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He also received the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award of the Greater Area Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Virginia State University.

Robinson, a former professor of history at Cabrini University and the Community College of Bucks County, has enjoyed success in the private sector as well as academia. He is a former president of Provident Home Life Insurance Company and a vice president of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. He has also served as Executive Deputy Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission; Assistant Managing Director of Philadelphia, and as a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

The Greensboro Human Relations Commission Education committee includes more than 50 community partners, such as Guilford County Schools, members of the Board of Education, Win-Win Resolutions, Guilford Education Alliance, Greensboro and High Point Human Relations Commissions, Black Child Development, St. Philip AME Zion Church, and others. This initiative involving Robinson's visit is made possible with the financial support of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.