The discussion focused on how economic, academic and social “elites” can play a role in helping young people to cope with race- and identity-related pressures that interfere with achievement.

The evening opened with a brief research review on ways that social, psychological, cultural and structural phenomena can affect student achievement. Then, panelists offered comments from several informed perspectives.

During the "rap" segment of the event, the audience broke out into small groups to consider ways that “elites” in their personal, professional and civic roles, might help children, both their own and others', to reach their academic potential. The evening's wrap-up discussion focused on recommendations and next steps.

Professor David Thomas of Harvard Business School served as Moderator. Other panelists included Ronald Ferguson, Faculty Co-Chair of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, Cedric Jones, a minister, former World-Wide VP at Johnson & Johnson and co-founder of "Adults Committed to Excellence," and Joshua Garriga, Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Graduate Student and Co-Chair of the HKS Black Student Caucus.

Attendees had the opportunity to interact with panelists on critical questions, including:

* How do race- and identity-related issues that adolescents face contribute to achievement gaps? Who can best help young people to cope with these pressures and whose responsibility is it to do so?

* Racial achievement gaps are quite large among children of the college educated. How should parents' education, income, or wealth levels matter, or not, in the measures we take to raise achievement among children and youth of different racial groups?

* What roles can economically successful, highly educated people play in helping to raise achievement among children from less advantaged backgrounds? For example, as people who shape employment practices affecting parents? As civic leaders?