Nov 15: "Socioeconomic Impact of K-12 Education Among Hispanic and African American Communities in Los Angeles"

The Davenport Institute will host School of Public Policy (SPP) alumna Evelyn Aleman (MPP '00) on Tuesday, November 15, at noon, in SPP 175 for a discussion on the socioeconomic impact of K-12 education among Hispanic and African American communities in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Unified School District is the second largest school district in the country, with more than 734,000 students enrolled in 1,300 schools and centers. Although, in recent years the district has made gains in student achievement, Hispanic and African American student graduation rates still lag behind. In addition, students often graduate ill prepared for the rigors of higher education or careers. This has a direct impact not only on the students’ economic future, but also on the region. Over the course of ten years, Aleman has worked with nonprofit organizations who advocate for reforms in education policy to advance student graduation rates and academic achievement.

Aleman is founder and president of Media Image Public Relations, a communications agency specializing in grassroots public relations with a public policy perspective. Her work has focused on issues pertaining to health, education, the environment, small business development, financial empowerment, asset building, and community development. Aleman received her MPP with a specialization in economics and international relations from the Pepperdine School of Public Policy in 2000, and was honored as the 2016 SPP Distinguished Alumna.

Each semester at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, the Davenport Institute hosts a series of lunchtime Davenport Discussions with practitioners, journalists, innovators, and researchers who speak to students on a wide range of issues from state and local finance to the use of technology in government to the outlook for cities in a state budget crisis and much more. These interactive sessions give students an opportunity not only to hear from experts in the field but to ask questions and make personal connections as well. For more information contact Ashley Trim.

Lunch will be served.