On February 5, 2021, at 10:00 AM you are invited to join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office as they launch Rising Scholars, an equity-driven initiative that serves incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. 

During the program, attendees will have an exclusive opportunity to preview The Possibility Report by the Campaign for College Opportunity, which was funded by a Michelson Spark Grant and released on February 4, 2021. Over the past year, the Campaign for College Opportunity has examined the barriers currently incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students face as they navigate their way through California’s college systems. Their research analyzes descriptive demographics concerning California’s incarcerated population, the policy landscape that contributes to the challenges faced by students, and, most importantly, elevates the voices of the students themselves. By exploring both the systemic and human realities, the Campaign for College Opportunity presents a series of recommendations for the state and colleges to adopt that would better serve currently and formerly incarcerated students while also benefiting the economy.

Additionally, attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from Reginald Dwayne Betts, an award-winning American poet and New York Times author. During the discussion, Mr. Betts will share his journey from incarceration to graduating from Yale Law School. Knowing the transformative effect education had on his life, Reginald is significantly increasing access to literature in prisons through the Million Book Project

We hope you will join us to celebrate the launch of Rising Scholars in California Community Colleges!

To register for the webinar, visit this Zoom page

The Michelson 20MM Foundation is dedicated to supporting and investing in leading organizations, technologies, and initiatives that seek to transform learning and improve access to educational opportunities that lead to a meaningful career. Michelson 20MM was founded thanks to the generous support of renowned spinal surgeon and inventor Dr. Gary K. Michelson and his wife, Alya Michelson. Visit us at 20mm.org.