Bronx Better Learning Gala 2022 Program

BETTER LEARNING, FUTURE SMART October 13, 2022, The New York Botanical Garden

PROGRAM 6pm Reception

7pm Dinner Remarks Addison Sosa, Student Council President, BBL 1 Kimberly Kelly, Board Chair Dr. Thomas Howard, Executive Director Jem Pagan, Trustee Dr. Tyrone Taborn, Gala Honoree Shubert Jacobs, Senior Principal

8pm Student Performance Destination: The Future Remarks Shubert Jacobs, Senior Principal Marvin Waldman, Board Vice Chair Closing remarks Dr. Thomas Howard, Executive Director

Gala Committee Ariel Dobkin Gregory E. Kimble Jr. Jem Pagán Dean Thomas Marvin Waldman

Honoree Dr. Tyrone Taborn Founder & CEO, Career Communications Group

Honoree

Dr. Tyrone Taborn Founder & CEO, Career Communications Group

Tyrone D. Taborn is the publisher and CEO of Career Communications Group, a multicultural media services company that connects diverse talent in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields to leading employers.

Incorporated in 1981, Career Communications Group (CCG) has built lasting partnerships with top employers for science and engineering talent through its annual conferences, magazines, and the STEM City USA metaverse, to inspire the next generation of American innovators.

Taborn is the founder of the Foundation for Educational Development.

The foundation’s programs include three media campaigns—Black Family Technology Awareness Week, La Familia Technology Awareness Week, and The Native American Family Technology Journey— dedicated to providing access to the digital workforce.

Taborn was a contributing author to the book Learning Race and Ethnicity, Youth and Digital Media, which was funded by the MacArthur Foundation and published by MIT Press. He also wrote, “Closing the Racial Digital Divide,” one of ten essays in The Covenant with Black America (Third World Press). The 2006 New York Times bestseller was compiled by Tavis Smiley. Taborn is a frequent speaker on the digital divide and STEM education. He has appeared on several prime-time television shows.

In 2019, the National Science Board (NSB) honored Taborn for his exemplary service in promoting public understanding of science and engineering. The NSB presented Taborn with the NSB Public Service Award at the National Science Foundation Annual Awards Ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

In 2003, he received the Hispanic Engineer of the Year Chairman’s Award from HENACC, and in 2005, he received the Baltimore Marketing Association’s Business Person of the Year Award. In addition, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and the state’s Legislative Black Caucus honored Taborn with a 2008 Living History Award in Engineering, Science, and Innovation. Historymakers.com recognized Taborn as an influential, historical figure who has had a significant impact on the Black community.

His other accolades include a Mercedes Benz Visionary Award and an Internet and Technology Leaders Award from Sprint and MOBE IT. In addition, editors of blackmoney.com and SoulofTechnology.net, who sponsor the Most Important African Americans in Technology Awards, named him one of the “50 Most Important Blacks in Technology.” Congressman Major R. Owens (D-NY) presented Taborn with a Congressional Black Caucus Honor as a Pioneer in Publishing.

Taborn, who grew up in Los Angeles, California, went on to attend college at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. At Cornell, Taborn majored in government. Also, while at Cornell, he held membership in the Senior Honor Society “Quill and Dagger” and was one of 32 academic scholars honored with membership in the prestigious Telluride Association. In addition, he served as the first LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) Congressional Intern in the office of the late Congressman Julian C. Dixon in 1978.

His current and past board affiliations include the Maryland Public Television Found, Morgan State University Board of Regents, Women Legislators of Maryland Foundation, Inc., Baltimore Partners for Enhanced Learning, Maryland Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE), and the Granville Academy.

He is also a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Taborn holds honorary degrees from Morgan State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a Bachelor of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University. He is married to Jean Hamilton and has two children. Ty Oliver Taborn, M.S., Esq, and Courtney Deneen Taborn, M.B.A.

Student Performance

Destination:

The Future

Cast Joseph Boakye, 5th Grade, cast member Joshua Boakye, 5th Grade cast member Aiden Calder, 4th Grade, cast member Dakota Clanton, 5th Grade, cast member Riley Clarke, 5th Grade, cast member Alexis Dogbe, 5th Grade, cast member Erin Harvey, 5th Grade, cast member Ethan Johnson, 5th Grade, cast member, dancer Chelsie McFarlane, 5th Grade, cast member Kai Mitchell, 5th Grade, cast member, dancer Nia-Sydene Moore, 4th Grade, cast member Taemar Plunkett, 3rd Grade, cast member Adrienne Scott, 5th Grade, cast member Arianna Tawdeen, 5th Grade, cast member Alani Vaughan, 5th Grade, cast member, dancer Kayla Warmington, 3rd Grade, cast member

Director & Writer Jonathan Carter

Co Director & Vocals Jahmar Redwood

Choreography Amanda Wulffen

Letter from the Board Chair

Dear Friends of Bronx Better Learning, Thank you all for joining us this special evening to celebrate and support Better Learning students. Thank you for caring about our mission and for your partnership to ensure that we continue providing the best opportunities to our students.

I am pleased to acknowledge the inspiring leadership of my fellow trustees and our past trustees. Your profound commitment and dedicated service are deeply appreciated. Your efforts and guidance have enabled a successful 19-year journey for Better Learning.

We would not be here without our founding members whose vision created an exemplary model of education. Your belief in the brilliance of all children is driving systemic change and we hope you take pride in the accomplishments of our students, teachers and staff.

I want to express our tremendous gratitude to our Gala Honoree Dr. Tyrone Taborn for his partnership with BBL. Dr. Taborn’s commitment to educational excellence and innovation along with his generous invitation to join Stem City USA presents an extraordinary opportunity to share our work and the Schools’ impact with new audiences.

We are honored by Dr. Taborn’s partnership and excited to join the metaverse.

I continue to be impressed by our engaged parents, colleagues and partners who share our belief in the importance of early childhood education and providing access and opportunities for students. It takes a village and I am humbled and grateful to be a part of the Better Learning community.

I am excited about future of Better Learning and to continue together this meaningful work for the benefit of our students.

With gratitude, Kimberly Kelly

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Colleagues, Trustees, Parents, and Friends, I am delighted to welcome you to the Bronx Better Learning Gala 2022, celebrating 19 years of extraordinary accomplishments and our visionfor the future.

We are here today because of visionary founders, dedicated trustees, and tireless teachers and staff. Our continued success in this missionbased effort is due to the members of the Bronx Better Learning community, including parents, community members, and partners, for your unwavering commitment to educational excellence.

I am pleased to extend a generous welcome to our Gala Honoree, Dr. Tyrone Taborn. Dr. Taborn is the CEO of Career Communications Group, a minority-owned media services company that promotes the achievements of minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Recently, Dr. Taborn invited Better Learning to join STEM City USA, a leader in the educational technology metaverse, as its resident elementary school. Through STEM City USA, Bronx Better Learning can make the digital leap into promoting academic excellence and sharing the fruits of our labor with new and virtual audiences.

The Gala 2022 proceeds will fund the Better Learning Academy, an afterschool enrichment program focused on STEM and the arts.

This interdisciplinary venture will give students access to enriching experiences beyond the classroom intended to inspire their vision for tomorrow - Better Learning, Future Smart.

We are grateful for your partnership and support of our brilliant, deserving students.

Sincerely, Dr. Thomas Howard Jr.

AWAKENING THE LEARNER WITHIN

Board of Trustees Kimberly Kelly, Chair Marvin Waldman, Vice Chair Ariel Dobkin, Secretary Marilyn Maye, Treasurer Marlon Henry, Parent Representative William Bernhardt Neal Myerberg​ Jem Pagán Dean Thomas Victor Zimmerman Syrion Jack Gregory E. Kimble, Jr.

Executive Director Dr. Thomas Howard, Jr.

BBL 1 Campus

BBL 2 Campus

Shubert Jacobs Senior Principal

Anne Clarke-Raysor Principal

Vanessa Trezza Assistant Principal

Dr. Amanda Santos Assistant Principal

Dr. Tyrone Taborn and Career Communications Group are pleased to partner with the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning and to congratulate Better Learning students on their outstanding accomplishments.

Jem Pagan and the entire BluSky team congratulate the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning family on their continued success in guiding and developing equity in education and inspiring joy and confidence in learning for our children. We are honored to join our esteemed attendees and fellow trustees to pay tribute to our dear friend and mentor, Dr. Tyrone Taborn, our 2022 Annual Fundraising Gala honoree, in support of the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning.

The NineDot Energy team is excited to support the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning for demonstrating how great student accomplishments can be fostered by innovative thinking.

Warmest congratulations to the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning on all that has been achieved, inspiring children to maximize their brilliance.

Best wishes for even more success in the future.

Dr. Sandra Hayes C Global Consulting

We are proud and blessed to help design the future for such an inspiring group of students and the visionaries who are leading them forward.

catchmecreative.com

Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning

in pursuit of excellence

The Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning are proud to announce the 2023 launch of the Better Learning Academy One hundred and twenty-five third, fourth, and fifth graders will receive scholarships from the Academy to participate in a STEM and arts after-school enrichment program.

Students will have learning experiences designed to inspire curiosity and the audacity to pursue personal excellence.

The Better Learning Academy launches at BBL 1 and BBL 2 on January 17, 2023

Congratulations Bronx Better Learning!

I am overjoyed by our organization’s nineteen years of success. Our Schools have been paving the way to bright and accomplished futures and I am looking forward to what lies ahead for the students at the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning. As we prepare for the 20th Anniversary, let us continue with enthusiasm and determination that a high-quality education matters today, tomorrow, and forever.

Dr. Marilyn Maye

Thank you Bronx Better Learning for promoting excellence, access and opportunities to students for almost two decades.

Wishes for continued success!

Anonymous

To our wonderful, brilliant students:

You make us proud!

Ellen and Marvin Waldman

Congratulations to the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning! The Board of Trustees applauds your efforts to help children come into their brilliance – Braver, Stronger and Smarter.

Anonymous

Good luck to all the student performers tonight, and thank you for all your hard work!

Ariel Dobkin & Derek Grego

Congratulations BBL students and staff and best wishes for continued success.

Your friends at

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The BBL1 PTA is proud to support the enrichment programs BBL provides to our children. The difference these programs make for our children can be seen throughout our community through the awakening of artists, musicians, gardeners, athletes, mathematicians, etc.

Best wishes to BBL staff and students for continued excellence and success.

Our children and community deeply benefit from the exposure students gain from enrichment programs.

Andy Dousis Education Consultant LLC

Best wishes to all of the BBL community from the Bernhardt family.

Best wishes to all present, past and future BBL students!

From Dr. Bruce Ballard and Mr. Yong Ih Kim

Empire Charter Consultants sends its deepest best wishes to the students, families, and dedicated educators who make up Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning.

We know your scholars will change the world.

Empire Charter Consultants - candid conversations and your one-stop-shop for all charter school needs.

BBL 1 Campus - Annex 3740 Baychester Avenue Bronx, NY 10466

BBL 2 Campus 2545 Gunther Avenue Bronx, NY 10469

www.bronxbetterlearning.org

AWA K E N I N G T H E L E A R N E R W I T H I N