Elmwood United Presbyterian Church and our non-profit outreach ministry, Harambee Community Development Initiative, Inc. are teaming up to sponsor a Back-To-School Conference on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The conference will be held at the Cicely Tyson School For The Performing Arts in East Orange, NJ or at Elmwood Church if the school is not available.

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Jeff Johnson, Washington, DC based award-winning journalist, social activist and political commentator (see attached bio). Currently, Jeff is a commentator on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show tackling issues on politics, entertainment and social policy issues, sharing the microphone with Harvard Law lecturer, Stephanie Robinson. The Back-To-School Conference will also feature other experts in education as well as a motivational speaker.

The conference is designed to bring students, parents, educators, school administrators and civic leaders together to begin a conversation on how we can work together to improve our schools and increase academic achievement. Quarterly follow up sessions are being planned utilizing the rich and diverse gifts of our community and nation. Book bags and school supplies will also be distributed to those in attendance.