February Update

In our pursuit to address issues of economic growth and access at the structural level, we firmly agree with Nelson Mandela's sentiment that "education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." The 'world-changing' impacts of some of Lawrence's educational leaders were recognized this past month, with NECC President and Lawrence Partnership Board Chair Lane Glenn receiving the prestigious Pacesetter of the Year Award by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, and Lawrence Public School Superintendent/Receiver Jeff Riley being tapped to be the Commonwealth's next Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

But the levels of leadership are deep in Lawrence, with the newly appointed board responsible for hiring the next superintendent being full of vision, community connections, and a core commitment to the young people in our community. The 7 member board offers great representation of the the cross-sectoral work of the Lawrence Partnership as well, including two founding board members of the Partnership (Juila Silverio and Jess Andors); an Advisory Council Member (Noemi Custodia-Lora) and an ex-oficio member (Mayor Daniel Rivera).

Corporate leaders are playing an outsized role in investing in local students, too, through various work-study programs like Notre Dame Cristo Rey's Co-op program and newly developed work-based learning programming at Lawrence High School. From strong leadership emerge the next generation of strong leaders.

Learn more about these world-changing individuals and initiatives below, in addition to updates on the Revolving Test Kitchen, the WhyLawrence story-telling campaign, and much more. We hope you are inspired to be involved in the change underway, too.

-- Derek Mitchell