The Education Nation tour kicked off in Detroit, Michigan, where NBC News and WDIV Local 4 hosted a week of events and programming to engage the community on education issues affecting the city and the region. All events were held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Detroit Summit Sessions
NBC News’ Chelsea Clinton and Rehema Ellis joined Local 4 Anchors Rhonda Walker and Devin Scillian in hosting a series of discussions with the region’s top thought leaders, including Governor Rick Snyder.
One on One with Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder
NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis speaks with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder about his education initiatives in the region.
Watch the interview here!
Early Learning: Sowing Seeds for Success
Sponsored by: W.K. Kellogg Foundation
NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis and WDIV Local 4 Anchor Rhonda Walker host a discussion with Detroit's top thought leaders, policymakers and practitioners on early childhood education.
Watch the session here!
K-12: New Choices in Changing Times
Sponsored by: General Motors Company
NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis, NBC News Special Correspondent Chelsea Clinton and WDIV Local 4 Anchor Rhonda Walker host a discussion on statewide policy changes and efforts in Detroit to turn around failing schools.
Watch the session here!
Job One: Preparing Michigan to Compete in the 21st Century
Sponsored by: University of Phoenix & General Motors Company
NBC News Special Correspondent Chelsea Clinton and WDIV Local 4 Anchor Devin Scillian host a panel discussion on college and career readiness with business and higher education leaders.
Watch the session here!
Detroit Town Halls
Student Town Hall
In the first-ever Student Town Hall on the Education Nation Tour, NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis, with WDIV Local 4 News Anchors Carmen Harlan and Steve Garagiola, hear students' thoughts on the most important issues affecting their education.
Watch the town hall here!
Teacher Town Hall
NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis, with WDIV Local 4 News Anchors Carmen Harlan and Steve Garagiola, convenes teachers from across the state to discuss the important issues facing their districts.
Watch the town hall here!
Education Nation Bus
The Education Nation bus toured around the Detroit metro area, collecting new and gently used books for the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.The United Way donated these books to its Early Learning Communities, as well as its partner hospitals and high schools in the area.
The Education Nation Bus Tour Wraps Up at Burr Elementary School in Sterling Heights, MI.
Detroit Sponsors
Education Nation Detroit has been made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. We would like to thank the following organizations for their contributions to our events:
Lead Sponsors
GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charities across the nation to support education, health and human services, environmental and community development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States.
Supporting Sponsor
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives.
Local Sponsors
NBC Learn
NBC Learn is the education arm of NBC News. We believe in the power of stories to engage 21st century learners and offer a new way to inspire students and empower teachers in and out of the classroom.
The Skillman Foundation
Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private grantmaking organization whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children in the Detroit region.
Knowledge Partner
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to ensure that all students graduate from high school prepared to succeed in college and careers and increase significantly the number of young people who complete a degree beyond high school with real value in the workplace.