Innovation and
Education: Bringing
the Inner City into
the 21st Century

Josette Bonafino, Moderator
Executive Director of MYX: Multicultural Youth eXchange
Stacy Holland
Co-President and COO, Philadelphia Youth Network
Dave Phillips
Public Affairs Specialist, State Farm
Michelle Grimley
Program Manager, Charter Education Grant, School District of Philadelphia
Desiree Booker (aka Myrikal)
High School Student, Performer,
Anti-Violence Advocate

Josette Bonafino
Executive Director
MYX: Multicultural Youth
eXchange

innovations in education
Bringing the Inner City
into the 21st Century

Stacy Holland
Co-President and COO
Philadelphia Youth Network

Dave Phillips
Public Affairs Specialist
State Farm

Michelle Grimley
Program Manager
Charter Education Grant
School District of Philadelphia

Character Education
and
The School District of
Philadelphia

What is Character Education?
• Instilling virtues, values, behaviors and
reasoning capabilities
• Positively effecting student’s ability to
make best possible moral choices

Character Education and U.S.
Department of Education
• Funding increased dramatically during
President Bush’s administration (FY 2001)
• Goal: Build safe schools and strong
character
• Supported in the Office of Safe and Drug
Free Schools-award federal grants across
the country

Character Education and
The School District of Philadelphia
Awarded two Partnerships in Character
Education Grants: FY 2002-2006, FY
2006-2010
Targets specific regions, schools,
classrooms for participation

Program Information
• K-8 classrooms implement character
education/service learning projects-currently 93
k-8 teachers involved from forty-one schools
• 10 District high schools implement senior project
program graduation requirement for all seniors

Character Education connection to
Service-Learning
Team building in classroom
Emphasis on character traits through literature
and community interactions
Service-learning project as the “application”
and real world application

Skills emphasized
k-8 character education/
service-learning project
Communication and research skills
Connecting with the community and organizations
Reading, writing and presentation skills
Caring, responsibility, respect
Service to others

Skills Learned through Senior
Project Program
• Thesis focused research paper writing
skills
• Presentation skills
• “Soft Skills”-creativity, time management ,
patience, persistence, etc

Future of Program
• Funding for Partnerships in Character
Education Program cut in FY 2009 budget
50%
Character Education will be folded into new
student engagement initiative for U.S.
Department of Education (TBA)

Future of Program in District?
• $500,000 annual grant budget will end
June 30, 2010
• Learn and Serve funds may continue
• Potential connection to Dr. Ackerman’s
Imagine 2014

Desiree Booker
(aka Myrikal)
High School Student
Performer
Anti-Violence Advocate

A Journey through the Life &
Career of “Myrikal”

Overview of Music Career
• Began rapping at age 10, and composing lyrics at 12. Started with
R.A.R.E.
• Over 150 performances throughout tri-state.
• Won Amateur Night at Apollo
• AMTC Millie Lewis competition in Florida: 2nd place
singer/songwriter. 1st place creative runway. 900 contestants.
• Opened up for Chaka Khan & Musiq Soulchild at N2N Annual
Festival.
• Anti-Violence youth advocate/ motivational speaker. Invited to speak
at schools, churches, seminars, and youth programs.
• Recorded a song demo at age 12; Released my 1st album at 14
entitled “The Evolution of a Revolution, Myrikal”.
• …and the list goes on.

What do I advocate?
• Pro-education
• Anti-Violence
Why???

What influences me?
• Community/ youth/ peers
• My preceding successors
• My teachers and music colleagues
• My Lord and Savior
And ultimately… My Mama

The Power of music & art
• Universal Language
• It can have a large influence on how we
think, feel, and live. Ex. John Mayer vs.
Billie Holiday.
• MYX 2009 Audio Arts program
• MUSIC MOVES ME

Looking into the future
• Continue to pursue my music
• Finish my 2nd album
• 4 year college degree/ Law school
• High hopes of becoming a District Attorney
someday.

“Invisible”

Question &
Answer

Please complete the survey being
distributed by the volunteers.
Surveys may be returned to the
volunteers or at the Registration
Desk in Ballroom A.

Thank you to our sponsors