Notre Dame Honors School’s 1st Black Valedictorian

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — The woman believed to be the first black valedictorian in the University of Notre Dame’s 168-year history challenged her classmates to make a difference in the world as they begin their careers.

Katie Washington of Gary drew sustained applause from the audience during May 16’s commencement ceremony. Some 22,000 people attended the ceremony that was held in the school’s football stadium for the first time since 1959.

Washington told her fellow 3,000 graduates that they can “engage in strokes of genius, enlightened moments and great ideas” to help those around the world.

The Gary West Side High School graduate received a perfect 4.0 GPA as a biological sciences major and plans to start a joint M.D./Ph.D. program at Johns Hopkins University in the fall.

Education Fund & Foundation to Present Scholarship Luncheon

(GLAAACC) — The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce will present its 11th annual scholarship luncheon June 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Wilshire Grand Hotel Pacific Ballroom, 930 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

The chamber will celebrate the academic achievements of graduating high school seniors from California Academy of Mathematics & Science, Crenshaw, Dorsey and George Washington Preparatory high schools. Tickets must be purchased by June 4.

Information: (323) 292-1297, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Youth Media Education Conference Slated

The second annual Youth Media Education Conference will take place June 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at California State University, Dominguez Hills’ Loker Student Union.

The conference will involve students in youth presentations on media literacy and advocacy workshops and performances.

Topics will include improving media representations of young women and men of color, addressing violence against women of color in music and videos, developing positive images of masculinity and male responsibility.

The event is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission and the Women of Color Media Justice Initiative.

Information: Sikivu Hutchinson, (213) 703-6982, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Conference to Take Place on Black Atlantic Sacred Arts

(UCLA) — “Mumbo Jumbo: Critical Perspectives on Black Atlantic Sacred Arts, A Conference Honoring Professor Don Cosentino” will take place June 4 and 5 at the University of California, Los Angeles, 6275 Bunche Hall.

The conference will include scholars and artists whose work explores ritual aesthetics of the African Diaspora in contemporary and historical contexts.

Inspired by the work of Cosentino, conference organizers seek to build upon his critical study of black Atlantic symbolic systems in artistic, performative and epistemological registers, emphasizing both the making and unmaking of the meaning. How, for example, do altars and altered states of consciousness manifest sacred powers and profane pleasures?

Are masquerade, mockery and ironic reversal central to the revolutionary potential of certain iconic figures?

Admission is free and open to the public. Parking for the day is available for $10.

Registration: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (310) 825-3686.

Dora the Explorer Helps Prepare Children to Start School

(CDF) — Nickelodeon has launched a new initiative to help provide preschoolers the resources, they will need to be well-prepared for school. The Children’s Defense Fund is joining the National Parent Teacher Association, actress Salma Hayek Pinault, and others in partnering with Nickelodeon on this school readiness campaign.

The initiative was launched as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Nickelodeon’s preschool character Dora the Explorer. It’s named “Beyond the Backpack,” taking its title from the well-stocked backpack that keeps Dora ready for every adventure. Nickelodeon hopes to similarly prepare young children for the big adventure of starting school.

Beyond the Backpack, a multiyear campaign, will include a Web site with information, links to partner organizations, and downloadable content for parents and educators; public service announcements; financial resources and grants; fundraising activities; and community events.

Information: http://dora.beyond thebackpack.com.

Next California Education Funders Forum Scheduled

The next California Education Funders Forum will take place June 16, 9 a.m., at the California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Los Angeles.

The mission of the Funders Forums is to provide nonprofit directors, school administrators, grant writers and others with detailed information on the grant application process — directly from the corporations and foundations that fund education-related proposals and programs.

Admission to the forum is $50. Admission to the forum including lunch is $70. Those having lunch must prepay. Parking is $8.

The Funders Forums may be videotaped, but registrants will be asked to give their consent to appear in the program.

Information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .