Commission Hosts Special Program Featuring Dr. Roland G. Fryer, Jr., October 30, 2007

In October 2007 Commissioner/Chair Patricia L. Gatling led a discussion on equity in education and narrowing the racial achievement gap as part of the Commission’s Civil Rights Public Lecture Series. The event, held at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, featured Dr. Roland G. Fryer, Jr., the NYC Department of Education’s Chief Equality Officer who jointly serves as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Harvard University. Dr. Fryer’s remarks focused on his application of economic research techniques to confront issues of race and discrimination. Known for his bold and innovative solutions, Dr. Fryer was appointed in June 2007 to advise Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein on achieving equity in education for all City students and narrowing the racial achievement gap.

Other speakers at the event included: Christopher D. Cerf, Deputy Chancellor of the NYC Department of Education; Rev. C. Vernon Mason, CEO of Fund for Community Leadership Development and CEO of Uth Turn; Dr. Edison O. Jackson, President of Medgar Evers College and a NYC Human Rights Commissioner; and Dr. Bruce Western, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Program in Inequality and Social Policy at Harvard University.

Schools Deputy Chancellor Chris Cerf (left) and keynote speaker Roland G. Fryer, Jr. (right) prior to the event.