Leadership Circle
In the U.S. today, 1 out of 4 children-14.3 million in all-lack access to afterschool programs. Our young people deserve better. Youth in afterschool programs do better in school and achieve higher levels of education. They are less likely to get involved in crime, abuse drugs or become teen parents. And, they have a chance to explore new worlds and interests.
To raise awareness of the critical need for more afterschool programs, the Afterschool Alliance has launched the Leadership Circle, a program designed to honor a select group of high-profile individuals who have helped to promote or support afterschool programs, and who want to champion this cause.
Afterschool Leadership Circle members do their part to help make afterschool a national priority for our youth, families and communities. The Afterschool Alliance is proud to recognize these outstanding individuals for their commitment and service to afterschool. |
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Kevin Sorbo, Actor
Popular television and film star Kevin Sorbo has headlined several feature films, and is well-known for his roles on the television series "Hercules" and "Andromeda." A national spokesperson for the Afterschool Alliance since 2005, Sorbo has livened up numerous afterschool events, especially as emcee of the Washington, D.C. Afterschool for All Challenge, where afterschool leaders meet Members of Congress.
On acting for afterschool: "Every young person deserves a safe place to go after school, where they have opportunities to learn, be engaged with positive role models and become more physically active." |
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Judge Glenda Hatchett, TV personality and author
Judge Hatchett is a renowned champion for disadvantaged youth. She is the author of the national bestseller, "Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say" and her award-winning syndicated television series, "Judge Hatchett," pioneered a new courtroom television approach, and continues to urge viewers to become mentors to at-risk youth in their communities.
The Judge's verdict: "Afterschool funding is one of the most important investments we can make. Either we’re going to invest in the front end or we’re going to invest in more prisons to backstop this." (After the School Bell Rings, Bright House Networks, 2008) |
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Steve Azar, Country music artist
Country blues rocker and proud father of three, Steve Azar joined forces with Afterschool Alliance to show his support for the millions of children who need afterschool programs. Steve’s songs have topped the Billboard charts, including, "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)," "Waitin' on Joe" and, "You Don't Know A Thing." When Steve sat down with afterschool kids in Houston, the conversation quickly evolved into an impromptu jam session with the students.
Steve on afterschool: "As a father of three, I know a lot can go wrong when kids don’t have the supports they need. We need to keep our children safe. But we also need to give kids the chance to express-to dance, play music-to be active in mind and body." |
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Joey Altman, Celebrity chef
One of the most celebrated chefs in the Bay Area, Joey Altman has built a dedicated following with the viewers of his two-time James Beard Foundation award winning local cooking show Bay Café on KRON Channel 4. Nationally, he won wide acclaim for the Food Network's series "Appetite for Adventure" and "What's Cooking with Joey Altman."
What Joey does after school: When he's not cooking with celebrity chefs, actors and musicians, Joey takes time to inspire budding chefs around the country by leading hands-on cooking demonstrations in afterschool programs. |
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Joel Stein, Writer
Joel Stein is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and as well as Time Magazine, where he has written 13 cover stories on subjects such as Michael Jordan, Las Vegas and George Clooney. Joel is a frequent guest on shows on E!, VH1, HBO and Cinemax. Joel wrote about his experiences lobbying Congress for afterschool investments in a May 2008 piece in Time.
Why Joel supports afterschool: "It gives parents something to ask their kids about besides, "How was school today?" They can also ask "How was after-school today?" It effectively doubles the chance of parent-child conversation. |
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Richard Riley, former United States Secretary of Education
Richard W. Riley is the former Governor of South Carolina (1979-1987) and the former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993-2001). During his two terms of service, the U.S. Department of Education created the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to afterschool.
An afterschool legacy: The federal initiative created under Secretary Riley provides afterschool programs for more than 1.3 million children each year, every day after the school bell rings. |
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William S. White, president and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
William S. White is chairman, president, and chief executive officer of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, a private philanthropy organization based in Flint, Michigan. In 2000, White led the Foundation in helping to establish the Afterschool Alliance in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education along with several public and private concerned organizations. He is also credited for coordinating a partnership with the U.S. Department of Education and the corporate community to create the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative. To date, the Mott Foundation has contributed more than $100 million to support afterschool programs and research.
Afterschool visionaries: Following the road Frank Manley pioneered in 1935 to bring community resources and schools together to better serve children, Bill White is making a 21st century vision for afterschool a reality. |
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