Join the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for the 2024 Stone Social Impact Forum featuring award-winning educator Dr. Carey Wright, who oversaw reforms transforming Mississippi into a national leader for improving student achievement. The conversation will be moderated by NBC News’ Education Correspondent, Rehema Ellis.

Dr. Wright explains the education turnaround in Mississippi, where they now approach universal literacy despite low-income districts and small education budgets. Since 2013, 4th grade reading scores increased from 49th to 21st nationally; by 2019, the state’s 4th graders ranked #1 for the largest score gains on math and reading national tests. Dr. Wright will discuss their approach, grounded in “an unwavering belief that all Mississippi children — including poor, Black and Hispanic children — can and will do better.

If you are attending in person, the lobby doors will open at 5:00pm for check-in/registration. If you are joining us online, the event will begin streaming on the Kennedy Institute YouTube page at 5:30pm ET. Please contact our Events Team at [email protected] with any questions.

The Stone Social Impact Forum is an annual series that features bold civic change agents who demonstrate various pathways to tackle inequality, advance social change, and inspire all people to be civically active. The Forum is a joint initiative of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation made possible through the generous support of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation.