Los Angeles –Educating Young Minds held its 19th Annual Awards Celebration with guest speaker, Dr. George J. McKenna III, Vice President of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education recently.
The Celebration took place at a breath taking private estate in Los Angeles. In attendance were notable politicians, celebrities, corporate sponsors, parents, EYM alumni, students and hosted by radio personality, Kevin Nash. This year’s Awards Gala was produced and directed by Bruce Cecil.
Educating Young Minds varied programs has empowered thousands of students and families, and serves as one of the most astute supplemental educational programs in the nation.
About Dr. George McKenna
Dr. George McKenna, Vice President, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. He has received over 400 citations and awards in recognition for his work. Dr. McKenna’s reforms at George Washington Preparatory High School have been copied nationwide and the story of Dr. McKenna’s turnaround of Washington Prep was made into a movie called The George McKenna Story, which starred Denzel Washington playing the role of George McKenna. In addition to teaching and working as a school principal, he has also served as superintendent of the Inglewood Unified School District, deputy superintendent of Compton Unified School District and assistant superintendent of secondary schools for the Pasadena Unified School District.
Dr. McKenna, Dr. McKenna grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1962. He later became principal of the George Washington Preparatory High School in 1979. At the time McKenna took the position, the school was failing and had problems with gang violence, drug dealing and gun fights, but under his reforms, the school eventually became an institution with an attendance waiting list and with nearly 80 percent of its students going on to college.
About Educating Young Minds
Educating Young Minds’ culture and methodology for underserved, underrepresented, at-risk youth and their families, channels their abilities and energies, linking high expectations with academic, emotional and social success. Educating Young Mind’s strategies and activities, with a student/teacher ratio of 6 to 1, accommodates students (grades Pre-K-12) with varied backgrounds and learning abilities.
Educating Young Minds provides a customized, Holistic approach with empowering resources, unlimited opportunities and curricula tailored to exceed required standards on both a personal and digital platform. Addressing the academic, social and emotional needs of our community, we provide solutions cultivating desire, talent and ability that create a standard of excellence within you. Consequently, more than 82% of EYM students graduate from 4-year colleges. For more information regarding EYM programs & requirements please visit: http://www.educatingyoungminds.org or call our office at (213) 487-2310.
About Angeles Echols-Brown
Angeles LaRose Patricia Echols Brown, founder/Chairman of the Board, Educating Young Minds. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended Cornell University and earned her B.A. in psychology, with an emphasis in child development and human behavior. While attending Cornell, Angeles discovered a love for the arts, teaching and for working with young people.
After college, she worked as a tutor and instructor at a wide range of traditional and alternative schools. Very quickly she discovered the tremendous demand and need in her community, especially among people of color, for supplemental education and counseling services. Soon her apartment was filled every day with children, with every part of the apartment in use as an educational facility. The need for a stand-alone facility became clear, thus Angeles founded Educating Young Minds Tutorial Program.
Mrs. Echols Brown has received hundreds of awards and citations for her life’s work. The truest testament to Mrs. Echols’ work is the young men and women that graduate from EYM, who succeed in college, and then return to their communities as role models and as leaders. Currently four former students are on staff at EYM. They are intelligent and giving as they teach, mentor and take leadership roles within the organization. They are the future of EYM, and the lessons they have learned from EYM teachers, staff and Mrs. Echols Brown, they now teach to others. Ms. Angeles Echols, is available for interviews & speaking engagements.
