MEDIA ADVISORY
February 19, 2024
San Diego Unified Students, Empowered to Tackle Critical Community Issues, Fueled by the Aspen Institute and Bezos Family Foundation, Through the Aspen Challenge.
Beginning February 21, students from 19 schools across San Diego will develop solutions to pressing issues; selected teams will present their projects at the prestigious Aspen Ideas Festival.
WHAT: San Diego Unified, in collaboration with the Aspen Institute and the Bezos Family Foundation, invites members of the media to witness the launch of a transformative journey as 19 high schools embark on an exciting hands-on approach to instigate local change within their community through the Aspen Challenge.
This event marks the beginning of a ten-week initiative where teams of students, powered by the Aspen Institute and Bezos Family Foundation, will delve into critical local issues, guided by the Aspen Challenge's innovative framework. It's an opportunity for the media to capture the enthusiasm, determination, and creativity of these young minds as they take the first steps toward making a lasting impact on their community.
Members of the media are invited to witness the inception of a remarkable journey towards positive community transformation. We look forward to your presence as we embark on this exciting endeavor together. For more information please visit the Aspen Institute website.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:45am - 3:45pm
WHERE: The Prado at Balboa Park (1549 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101)
WHO: San Diego Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Lamont A. Jackson;
Founders of the “All Black Men Need Therapy” podcast, Chris “Bell” Bellamy, Michael “Chief” Peterson, and Prentice Powell; San Diego Housing Commission Director of Homelessness Operations, Megan Burt; San Diego Housing Commission Senior Program Analyst, Ilene Lozada; WILDCOAST Associate Director, Anne Middleton; MENTOR California President & CEO, Marcus L. Strother; Alliance San Diego Founding Executive Director, Andrea Guerrero; Poet, Writer, Creative Writing Teacher, Natasha Carrizosa
Student, educator, and event speaker interviews will be available.
RSVP: Please confirm your attendance and coverage by emailing Isabella McNeil, imcneil@sandi.net
MEDIA CONTACTS: Isabella McNeil, San Diego Unified School District, imcneil@sandi.net, 619-341-2343, Jon Purves, The Aspen Institute, jpurves@aspeninstitute.org
About San Diego Unified: As the second-largest school district in California, the San Diego Unified School District serves more than 100,000 students, including infant, pre-school, transitional kindergarten through grade 12, and adult programs. The students and families of the San Diego community represent more than 163 countries and
bring the richness of more than 60 languages and dialects; approximately 20% of its students are multilingual. The diversity of the student population includes 47% Latinx, 23% White, 10% Black, 8% Asian, and 5% Filipino. The San Diego Unified School District is proud to call itself one of the top large urban school districts in the United States due to its commitments to racial and social justice, technology, curriculum, neighborhood and specialty schools, career-technical education, and food services. Learn more at www.sandi.net
About Aspen Challenge: The Aspen Challenge provides inspiration, tools, and a platform for young people to design solutions to some of the most critical problems humanity faces. The inaugural Aspen Challenge launched in collaboration with Los Angeles Unified School District in 2013. Since its inception, the Challenge has expanded to include partnerships with school districts in Denver, Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Louisville, Miami, New Orleans, and Brooklyn. For more information on Aspen Challenge, please visit www.aspenchallenge.org
About Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
About Bezos Family Foundation: The Bezos Family Foundation envisions a world in which all young people reach their full potential and meaningfully contribute to society. The Foundation pursues that vision by making grants and by operating their own programs, with the aim of fueling the science of learning and enabling its application in a variety of settings. The Foundation’s mission is to invest in the science of learning and the experiences that youth need from birth to high school to pursue their own path for success. For more information, visit www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org.
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