Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali to Join other Obama Officials in New Orleans to Discuss Administration’s Plans to Help Strengthen, Uplift American Communities

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali will join several key Obama Administration officials in New Orleans tomorrow to discuss the concrete steps being taken across the Administration to create more jobs and position New Orleans and communities across the country to out-innovate, out-educate, and out build the rest of the world.

Among the issues Ali will discuss is the newly-released Civil Rights Data Collection, which provides policymakers, educators and parents with critical information that will aid them in identifying inequities and targeting solutions to close the educational achievement gap in America.

The What Matters in Our Community discussion, to be held at the 2011 Essence Music Festival and moderated by CNN anchor Suzanne Malveaux, will include Valerie Jarrett, senior advisory to President Obama; Michael Blake, associate director, White House Office of Public Engagement; Marie Johns, deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Association; and Dr. Garth Graham, deputy assistant secretary for minority health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.