Today is one of those days that I am truly savoring in my new life.  HGSE held an all-day event, “Critical Conversations & Bold Ideas,” keynoted by Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, and Geoffrey Canada, Founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone.  As both are grads of the school, the talks were interspersed not only with interesting and inspiring and academic parts — but also familiar and funny and personal parts.

Classes were canceled so that we could all attend, and it was capped with a block party featuring a couple more Harvard grads:  Yo-Yo Ma (a world-famous classical cellist) and Janelle Bechdol (a former American Idol contestant who graduated with her Masters from HGSE last spring).

I do love the crazy, eclectic blend of things and people that come together here!

If you have time, Geoffrey Canada’s talk is definitely worth watching — they did live streaming, so hopefully they’ll post it afterward on the site.   As I’m sure many of you know, he’s incredibly articulate, passionate and high-impact.  And personable too, as seen in a pic with some of my gang from IEP!