The Obama administration wants communities across the country to replicate the successful strategies innovated by Geoffrey Canada, the President and CEO of Harlem’s Children’s Zone — a community organization that gives low-income kids equal access to education. As incentive, President Obama is offering $10 million to communities willing to imitate what is now being dubbed as the “HCZ model.”
As a result, nearly 1,000 organizations have applied for this prize money, which is part of the administration’s “Promise Neighborhoods” competition.
The HCZ, which covers 97 square blocks of Harlem is a neighborhood legendary for black culture and deep poverty, is now educating more than 8,000 children in New York, and reaching over 6,000 adults in the broader community.
Canada appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the importance of equal education for all children, and the HCZ’s essential ingredients for success.
WATCH MSNBC MORNING JOE COVERAGE OF GEOFFREY CANADA’S HCZ
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“You have to start with family and community,” said Canada. “You really have to get your entire community behind these young people and then you have to get these kids on grade level early, and we as the adults have to take responsibility and accountability. In the end this work is too important to let our children fail and we can accept no failure. In my organization we don’t accept failure.”