The Learning Agenda

Millions of professionals and volunteers work with young people every day. Yet, we have little information about this essential workforce. Through the Power of Us Workforce Survey, you can contribute to a national effort to explore, define, and elevate your work with youth. Take the Power of Us Survey today! www.powerofussurvey.org

At the close of 2020 and every year - we recognize how fortunate we are to work and learn alongside all of you. This year we are sending a special thank you to Kristin Romens, who is stepping back from her role of Partner of The Learning Agenda, for her many years of leadership. With this change, Hillary Oravec and Kristin Romens recognized a new opportunity for commitment to TLA’s home community of Akron, Ohio. As of 2021 and moving forward, The Learning Agenda will dedicate 10% of proceeds to the Lebron James Family Foundation. We hope this is only the beginning of a long lasting partnership to dedicate time, resources, and talent to support the Foundation’s innovative and pivotal education and family-focused programming.

Thank you, Kristin. We are excited to stay connected as you continue to lead health and human services grantmaking initiatives for the The Pew Charitable Trusts.

We're closing out our week by reflecting on some of the most impactful moments from the WT Grant Foundation 2020 research convening. Dr. Aldon Morris - 2021 President of the American Sociological Association discussed the pivotal and often uncelebrated role of children, youth, and young adults in social movements that result in policies of disruption. Dr. Morris pointed out that "Young people are the soldiers who drive social movements," and are therefore, "the engines that drive social change." The reasons why: they are relatively idealistic, economically free, and have more discretionary time.

WT Grant Foundation President Adam Gamoran reflected how - as compared to soldiers of war into which young adults are enlisted - young people are able to choose their social movements. It was an important moment of inspiration and connection to our collective work of (and all learning) - to promote culturally responsive, rigorous, and relevant learning that empowers youth create change, and exercise their agency and voice in powerful ways.

Thank you Dr. Morris and WT Grant Foundation for the opportunity to annually collaborate on this gathering of leading minds working to reduce inequality through impactful research and policy.