Calling for a “bold, new paradigm for educational excellence in the country,” Mark Zuckerberg, Mayor Cory Booker and Governor Chris Christie continued the conversation about their joint efforts to make Newark a shining example of educational excellence in a telephone press conference this afternoon.
As a follow up to this morning’s appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show, the three discussed the plan for Zuckerberg’s $100 Million donation, which came from his foundation “Startup: Education.” Baristanet was on the call with them and heard the unmistakable optimism and hope in the three voices, as they threw out the gauntlet to the leadership and people of Newark. Their challenge is no less than to create “transformative change” in the city, and lead the nation in educational reform.
“The future of our city lies in elevating the children to be the central point of our focus,” said Mayor Booker. “I’m putting everything on the line, including my career,” he said, referring to the imperative success of the new initiative.
“Failure is not an option,” added Governor Christie.
Zuckerberg commented that he was drawn to Newark by Cory Booker’s commitment to leadership and everything he knew about the Mayor’s approach to running the city. “This is the guy I wanted to invest in, this is the guy who can create change,” he said.
Booker referred to Zuckerberg as an “heroic force” to the city.
Both Mayor Booker and Governor Christie stressed the critical need for local community leadership. “Newark is a grass roots city,” said the mayor. All 3 agreed that the first step in the effort is to find out from the community members what they think excellence in education means. “We have to get beyond the skepticism, beyond the cynicism and put the children first,” Booker explained. “Once that happens, Newark is going to lead the nation to where we must go. We can’t be a number one global democracy and economy if we’re not top educationally.
Mayor Booker continued to say that his faith lies with the city of Newark. “I’m banking on that,” he said. “With the support of Mark and other philanthropists who are stepping forward right now, I’m betting on Newark. We will succeed.”
What an unlikely foursome–Christie, Oprah, Booker, and Zuckerberg. I’ll bet each one of them is going home right afterward to take a bath.
It’s an involuntary mental image – not one I’m proud of – but – I just see a lot of money taking a few circles around the drain before it disappears down it forever.
And I then see a future Essex County prosecutor trying to find it.
Good grief.
this is the best trickle down economics has to offer. it’s better to spend the money this way than have a rich dude build another castle for his ego. zucker could just as well be on lifestyle’s of the rich and famous. instead he’s doing this. i applaud him for it. if it helps 1 person that otherwise would not have gotten out of the ghetto get to to a better place in life then it’s money well spent.