Congratulations to East Baton Rouge Parish School Board President Carla Powell-Lewis for her selection to the inaugural cohort of the prestigious Hunt Institute’s Early Learning Nation Fellowship.
Powell-Lewis is one of only two cohort members representing Louisiana. The invitation-only program meeting will be held Sept. 4-6 in Las Vegas. ELN fellows will engage with one another to learn more about how to navigate local policies that impact early childhood issues.
“I’m deeply honored to be selected for the Hunt Institute Inaugural Early Learning National Fellowship,” Powell-Lewis said. “This fellowship presents an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with thought leaders nationwide, enhancing our collective ability to impact early learning and shape the future of education.”
Organizers said the fellowship program was founded on the belief that all young children deserve a great start in life. The inaugural cohort of fellows will include more than 100 mayors, school board members, city and county council members, and other elected stakeholders from across the country.
“The early childhood landscape can be complex, especially at the local level, and I’m pleased to see so many locally elected officials from across the country come together to focus on investing time in this area,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, the Hunt Institute’s president & CEO. “Equipping policymakers with access to research and national experts is an essential step in building stronger early childhood systems.”
The Hunt Institute, a national nonpartisan nonprofit, was founded in 2001 by four-term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt. It brings together people and resources to inspire and inform elected officials and policymakers about key issues in education, resulting in visionary leaders who are prepared to take strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success.
