How to make education a life-long process

In honor of black history month, we discuss with civil rights luminary Rev. Dr. Owen C. Cardwell Jr. about his experiences as one of the first two students to be desegregated in Lynchburg VA. public schools.  Dr. Cardwell will shares what it was like as a high school student that had the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how that meeting changed the trajectory of his life, to one of education, service and leadership.   

Dr. Cardwell also discusses with us his work and research along with some of the things that he has learned to best support students amidst today’s challenges. In particular he shares his vision on how we can help ALL students to make education a life-long process rather than just a destination. 

Panelists

Rev Dr Owen C Cardwell Jr PhD Dr. Cardwell has a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in creative and ethical leadership from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also has a master’s degree in theology from Boston University and a master’s degree in adult education from Cambridge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His scholarship on the work of Martin Luther King Jr. is respected around the country. A native of Lynchburg, Dr. Cardwell was one of the first African-American students to integrate E.C. Glass High School. He is the founder and executive director of the Heroes and Dreams Academy in Richmond, a service-learning based mentoring program for at-risk youth. He was also the co-founder of the Family Restoration Network in Ashland, Virginia, an organization designed to restore fractured families and reconnect incarcerated fathers with their children.

Jason Johnson EdS Jason is a licensed school psychologist and has published research on resilience and student performance.  Jason is a passionate advocate for disadvantaged students and currently consults and trains educators across the nation as the director of training and research for the WhyTry organization. Jason is a thought leader on resilience education and has spoken at hundreds of conferences around the country. He has led successful implementations of all WhyTry programs and has pioneered trainings for clients in healthcare, corporate, and the US Military.