David Johns, U.S. Education Department Official, to Speak at U of A

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, will discuss “Paying it Forward in the Black Community” from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 in the Donald W. Reynolds Center Auditorium.

This event is free and open to the public.

Johns has served in the U.S. Department of Education since 2013, working to identify evidence-based best practices to improve African American student achievement—from cradle to career.

He previously worked as a senior education policy advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and also served under  the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass and in the office of Congressman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.

Johns has worked on issues affecting low-income and minority students, neglected youth and early childhood education, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He is committed to volunteer services and maintains an active commitment to improve literacy among adolescent minority males.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University with a triple major in English, creative writing and African American studies; he received a master’s degree in sociology and education policy at Teachers College, Columbia University while teaching elementary school in New York City.

 Johns talk is sponsored by the Black Men Solutions Summit with partners including the University of Arkansas, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Tyson, and Procter and Gamble.