Geoffrey Canada
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Canada is an African American social activist and educator. Since 1990, Canada has been president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone
in Harlem
, New York, an organization which states its goal is to increase high school and college graduation rates among students in Harlem. He is a member of the Board of Directors of The After-School Corporation, a nonprofit organization which describes its aim as to expand educational opportunities for all students.
, he is the third of four sons of McAlister and Mary Canada. His parents' marriage ended in 1956, after which his father played little part in the children's life and did not contribute financial support. Canada was raised among the "abandoned houses, crime, violence and an all-encompassing sense of chaos and disorder," and understood his life's calling at an early age.
His mother sent him to live with her parents in Freeport, Long Island when Canada was in his mid-teens. He attended Wyandanch Memorial High School, and won a scholarship from the Fraternal Order of Masons during his senior year of high school.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in psychology
and sociology
from Bowdoin College
, where he graduated in 1974, and a Master's degree
in education
from the Harvard Graduate School of Education
.
Canada has an honorary degree from Princeton University.
. Unsatisfied with the scope of Rheedlen, Canada transformed the organization's makeup in the late 1990s into a center that would actively follow the academic careers of youths in a 24-block area of Harlem. Due to the success of the new model, the area has grown to 97 blocks.
The Harlem Children's Zone was profiled in 2004 in a story by Paul Tough
in the New York Times Magazine, which described it as "one of the biggest social experiments of our time." In 2008, Tough published a book entitled Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America. Additionally, U.S. News and World Report named Canada one of America's Best Leaders in its October 2005 issue.
Along with having been featured in a number of print publications, Canada has made a number of high profile television appearances, including a profile interview on 60 Minutes
,
two televised interviews with Charlie Rose
, a guest appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show
, a guest appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
,
and three appearances on the Colbert Report. In 2010, he appeared in an American Express
commercial that premiered during the Academy Awards
and took an extended look at his work and success at the Harlem Children's Zone.
Desiring to emulate the Harlem Children's Zone, in 2009 American President Barack Obama
announced plans to replicate the HCZ model in 20 other cities across the nation.
Canada is prominently featured in Waiting for Superman
(2010), a documentary on the state of American public education by Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim
. The film received the Audience Award for best documentary at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
.
It was reported that Canada was offered the position of New York City Schools Chancellor by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
, but that he turned it down.
was first released in 1995. In the book, Canada recounts his exposure to violence during his childhood and offers a series of recommendations on how to alleviate violence in inner cities.
Publishers Weekly
praised Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun
, commenting that "A more powerful depiction of the tragic life of urban children and a more compelling plea to end 'America's war against itself' cannot be imagined."
In 1998, he published his second book, Reaching Up For Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America.
Harlem Children's Zone
The Harlem Children's Zone is a non-profit organization for poverty-stricken children and families living in Harlem, providing free support for the children and families in the form of parenting workshops, a pre-school program, three public charter schools, and child-oriented health programs for...
in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, New York, an organization which states its goal is to increase high school and college graduation rates among students in Harlem. He is a member of the Board of Directors of The After-School Corporation, a nonprofit organization which describes its aim as to expand educational opportunities for all students.
Early life and education
Born and raised by a divorced mother in the South BronxSouth Bronx
The South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
, he is the third of four sons of McAlister and Mary Canada. His parents' marriage ended in 1956, after which his father played little part in the children's life and did not contribute financial support. Canada was raised among the "abandoned houses, crime, violence and an all-encompassing sense of chaos and disorder," and understood his life's calling at an early age.
His mother sent him to live with her parents in Freeport, Long Island when Canada was in his mid-teens. He attended Wyandanch Memorial High School, and won a scholarship from the Fraternal Order of Masons during his senior year of high school.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
from Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
, where he graduated in 1974, and a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
from the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
The Harvard Graduate School of Education is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University, and is one of the top schools of education in the United States. It was founded in 1920, the same year it invented the Ed.D...
.
Canada has an honorary degree from Princeton University.
Role with the Harlem Children's Zone
Starting as president in 1990, Canada started working with the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families which evolved into the Harlem Children's ZoneHarlem Children's Zone
The Harlem Children's Zone is a non-profit organization for poverty-stricken children and families living in Harlem, providing free support for the children and families in the form of parenting workshops, a pre-school program, three public charter schools, and child-oriented health programs for...
. Unsatisfied with the scope of Rheedlen, Canada transformed the organization's makeup in the late 1990s into a center that would actively follow the academic careers of youths in a 24-block area of Harlem. Due to the success of the new model, the area has grown to 97 blocks.
The Harlem Children's Zone was profiled in 2004 in a story by Paul Tough
Paul Tough
Paul Tough is a writer and broadcaster. He is the author of Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America. He grew up in Toronto and was educated at the University of Toronto Schools...
in the New York Times Magazine, which described it as "one of the biggest social experiments of our time." In 2008, Tough published a book entitled Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America. Additionally, U.S. News and World Report named Canada one of America's Best Leaders in its October 2005 issue.
Along with having been featured in a number of print publications, Canada has made a number of high profile television appearances, including a profile interview on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
,
two televised interviews with Charlie Rose
Charlie Rose
Charles Peete "Charlie" Rose, Jr. is an American television talk show host and journalist. Since 1991 he has hosted Charlie Rose, an interview show distributed nationally by PBS since 1993...
, a guest appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
, a guest appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
,
and three appearances on the Colbert Report. In 2010, he appeared in an American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
commercial that premiered during the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
and took an extended look at his work and success at the Harlem Children's Zone.
Desiring to emulate the Harlem Children's Zone, in 2009 American President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
announced plans to replicate the HCZ model in 20 other cities across the nation.
Canada is prominently featured in Waiting for Superman
Waiting for Superman
Waiting for "Superman" is a 2010 documentary film from director Davis Guggenheim and producer Lesley Chilcott. The film analyzes the failures of American public education by following several students through the educational system, hoping to be selected in a lottery for acceptance into charter...
(2010), a documentary on the state of American public education by Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim
Davis Guggenheim
Philip Davis Guggenheim is an Academy Award-winning American film director and producer. His credits as a producer and director include Training Day, The Shield, Alias, 24, NYPD Blue, ER, Deadwood, and Party of Five and the documentaries An Inconvenient Truth and Waiting for 'Superman...
. The film received the Audience Award for best documentary at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
.
It was reported that Canada was offered the position of New York City Schools Chancellor by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
, but that he turned it down.
Books
Canada's first book Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in AmericaFist, Stick, Knife, Gun
Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence is a memoir by Geoffrey Canada, an American social activist who is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Harlem Children's Zone...
was first released in 1995. In the book, Canada recounts his exposure to violence during his childhood and offers a series of recommendations on how to alleviate violence in inner cities.
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
praised Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun
Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun
Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence is a memoir by Geoffrey Canada, an American social activist who is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Harlem Children's Zone...
, commenting that "A more powerful depiction of the tragic life of urban children and a more compelling plea to end 'America's war against itself' cannot be imagined."
In 1998, he published his second book, Reaching Up For Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America.
Awards and honors
- The 1st Annual Heinz AwardHeinz AwardThe Heinz Award is an award currently given annually to ten honorees by the Heinz Family Foundation. The Heinz Awards recognize outstanding individuals for their contributions in the five areas of: Arts and Humanities, the Environment, the Human Condition, Public Policy, and Technology, the Economy...
in the Human Condition - Doctor of Humane Letters, Bowdoin College (2007)
- Doctor of Humane letters, Tulane UniversityTulane UniversityTulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
(2010) - Doctor of Laws, Columbia UniversityColumbia UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
(2010) - "Local Hero" honor at 2010 BET AwardsBET AwardsThe BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Tufts UniversityTufts UniversityTufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
(2011)
External links
- Harlem Children's Zone Official Website
- Profile of Canada from the Harlem Children's Zone
- Beacon Press web site for Geoffrey Canada.
- Profile of Canada from Current (February 2005)
- Profile of Canada in The New York Times (June 2004)
- Segment on the Harlem Children's Zone in The New York Times (May 2009)
- Video of Geoffrey Canada at the Gel 2006 conference
- Video on The Harlem Children's Zone CBS 60 Minutes (May 2006)
- Radio segment on Canada on This American Life (September 2008)
- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/nyregion/10canada.html?ref=nyregion (December 2010)