Armando Christian Prez to Speak on the Critical Need to Prepare All Children with a Strong Public Education
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today announced that internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum performing artist Armando Christian Prez, also known as Pitbull, will give the opening address at the 2013 National Charter Schools Conference.
Prez, founder of the Miami-area public charter school SLAM (Sports Leadership and Management), will open the general session this Monday, July 1, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. speaking to the critical need to prepare all children, particularly those in inner cities, with a strong public education. “It is a sign of the broad reach and resonance of public charter schools nationwide that an international superstar like Pitbull is joining us to kick off our largest assembly of charter school supporters to date,” said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Mr. Prez is one of the most powerful voices speaking out today on behalf of young Americans and communities, and deserves great credit for drawing attention to the need to give all young people access to good public schools. A native of Miami, Florida, Prez also known as Mr. Worldwide and Mr. 305 is a globally successful musician, performer, business entrepreneur, fashion icon and actor whose career sales exceed five million albums and 40 million singles worldwide.
A civic leader in Miami, Prez is also the founder of SLAM public charter school, which operates a middle and high school. SLAMs mission is to innovatively and deeply prepare students for secondary studies and beyond. Through an emphasis on preparation for sports-related careers, SLAMs teaching philosophy centers on the 3 Rs: rigor, relevance and relationships. The schools first cohort of students will begin classes in the fall of 2014. “One of the most powerful things that I am involved with is education. I feel education is the real revolution. I stand with the millions of families today who simply want a good school for their kids,” said Prez. “That’s why I am opening my first public charter school in my old Miami neighborhood of Little Havana. SLAM will engage young people in learning through things that they love showing them they can become anything that they want, whether its an athlete, attorney, musician or entrepreneur. Prez will deliver the welcoming address before thousands during the general session of the 2013 NCSC in Washington, D.C. President Bill Clinton, Microsoft Founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and Actor Bill Cosby have made remarks at the conference in previous years.
Each year the NCSC brings together public charter leaders, teachers, advocates, policy makers and education reformers nationwide to inspire forward momentum with innovative ideas and information on what is working best to serve young people. A complete overview of the entire week’s activities can be found at: www.publiccharters.org/Conference.
About the National Alliance
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the public charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter sector. For more information, please visit our website at www.publiccharters.org.
