Alcorn president to participate in ‘Real Conversations, Real Impact’ panel

Dr. Felecia Nave, Alcorn State University president, is among four nonprofit powerhouse leaders who are coming together Tuesday, Nov. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. for the first of three virtual panel discussions entitled “Real Conversations, Real Impact.”

Change Summer, the leading nonprofit for year-round, social-emotional development and enrichment for youth from under-resourced communities, is the organization behind the series

Part one will cover the topic “Implementing Anti-racist, Systemic Change in the Nonprofit Sector.” Dr. Nave brings with her a unique perspective as an HBCU leader with a passion for identifying and developing multiple pathways toward success. She recognizes that not all children have equal access to information and therefore may not be prepared for continued success.

“You have to give them information early, immerse them and excite them,” she said.

Dr. Nave will speak alongside three other influential nonprofit leaders:

• John B. King, Jr., former secretary of education, and president and CEO of The Education Trust
• Lisette Nieves, president of the Fund for the City of New York and clinical professor at New York University
• Dan Porterfield, president & CEO of the Aspen Institute

“Change Summer has a responsibility to the students and families we serve,” said Josh Phillips, Founder and chief executive officer of Change Summer. “The communities from which they come have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, the resulting economic recession, and social injustice.”

Change Summer believes unequal access to high-quality summer programming is a solvable problem. The New York-based nonprofit partners with school organizations across the Northeast United States to create high-quality, customized summer opportunities for their students. Change Summer’s programs provide students from under-resourced communities with a summer experience that increases independence, curiosity, confidence and responsibility – all critical skills for a successful future.

“Our north star has always been an equal opportunity for all. And now, even more, we feel a deep responsibility to close the opportunity and fairness gaps that pervade American society,” Phillips said.

While Change Summer primarily addresses those gaps through overnight camp experiences, the nonprofit is an advocate and driver for real, sector-wide change at its organizational core.

To that end, Change Summer developed this panel series, which will tackle critical topics that can catalyze the deep and lasting change required for greater equity.

For more information about Change Summer, visit www.changesummer.org.