As New York City’s school system remains the most segregated in the nation, this panel discussion will explore how can we increase diversity in our public schools and bring needed best practices into our classrooms.

Opening remarks: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams

Educated in the City’s public school system, Adams has made a career-long commitment to quality public education. He believes that government works best when everyone has a chance to be heard, and he has resolved to use his office to provide an opportunity for diverse groups to work together for the common good.

Moderator: Arva Rice, President, New York Urban League

Among her many accomplishments, Rice is also a Commissioner for the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission, a member of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links Inc. and a regular contributor - on topics such as diversity in the workplace - to the Huffington Post.

Esteemed Panelists:

Councilmember Brad Lander, a New York City Council Member representing Brooklyn’s 39th District and was one of the main sponsors of the School Diversity Accountability Act, which Mayor de Blasio signed into law this summer in the city’s efforts to increase diversity in public schools.

Councilmember Ritchie Torres, a New York City Council Member representing the 15th District of the Central Bronx. Torres also sponsored Council Member Lander’s bill, calling for the New York City Education Department officially declare diversity a policy goal.

Jon Rosenberg, CEO, Hebrew Charter School Center; Under Rosenberg’s leadership, the schools in the Hebrew Charter School Center’s network have made racial and economic integration a goal – and have succeeded in creating diverse school environments. The network is also a member of the National Coalition for Diverse Charter Schools.

Clarence Ellis, Community Superintendent, District 17; Serving the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, Clarence supports over 18,000 students in 33 schools from pre-k to eighth grade. Along with 30 years of experience with the NYC DOE - with roles including teacher and Principal - he is also a long-standing member of the Technical Assistance Center on Disproportionality (TAC-D); collaboration work that attempts to change schools culture systemically to combat the disproportionate assignment of minority students to special education and high rates of suspensions, retentions, and expulsions.

Todd Sutler, Co-Founder, Compass Charter School; Documenting and sharing effective structures and practices being utilized at some of America’s most successful schools is at the core of Todd's work. A long-time advocate for diversity in public schools, Sutler has held teaching positions at NYC’s public schools that promote diversity such as Community Roots Charter School, which is also one of the founding members of the National Coalition of Diverse Charter Schools.

Kevin Ryan-Young, PTA President, PS 133; Kevin works as a parent, volunteer, life coach and motivational speaker. Aside from dedicating his time at PS 133, Kevin also serves as Second Vice President of District 13’s Presidents’ Council, is on the Board of Directors of Pentacle, an arts organization, and is a member of the Parent Advisory Board for The Leader in Me.