Geoffrey Canada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geoffrey Canada
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Canada in 2024
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| Born | January 13, 1952 Bronx, NY, U.S.
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| Education | Bowdoin College (BA) Harvard University (MEd) |
Geoffrey Canada (born January 13, 1952) is an American educator, social activist, and author. Since 1990, he has been the president of the Harlem Children's Zone in Harlem, New York. This organization helps students in Harlem graduate from high school and go to college. It works in a 97-block area of Harlem, supporting many children who need help. Canada also leads the board of directors for the Children's Defense Fund. He believes that to improve education, we must start helping kids early with many different strategies and never give up.
Early Life and Education
Canada was born in the South Bronx. He was the third of four sons. His mother, Mary Elizabeth Canada, was a counselor who helped people. His parents separated in 1956, and his mother raised him. His father was not very involved in their lives. Canada grew up in a challenging neighborhood with many difficulties.
When Canada was a teenager, his mother sent him to live with her parents in Wyandanch, New York. He went to Wyandanch Memorial High School. In his last year, he won a scholarship from the Fraternal Order of Masons.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and sociology from Bowdoin College in 1974. He also has a master's degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Canada's brother, Derrick Canada, was a player for the Harlem Globetrotters.
The Harlem Children's Zone
In 1990, Canada started working with the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families as its president. He wanted to do more, so he changed the organization into the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ). This center helps young people in Harlem with their school careers. It started in a 24-block area and has grown to 97 blocks over the years. Canada was the president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone until July 2014. After that, Anne Williams-Isom became the new leader.
The Harlem Children's Zone was featured in the New York Times Magazine in 2004. The story called it "one of the biggest social experiments of our time." In 2008, Paul Tough wrote a book about Canada's work called Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America. Also, U.S. News & World Report named Canada one of America's Best Leaders in 2005.
Canada has appeared on many TV shows. These include 60 Minutes, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In 2010, he was in an American Express commercial that showed his work at the Harlem Children's Zone.
In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans to create similar programs in 20 other cities. Canada was also a main person in Waiting for Superman (2010). This is a documentary film about public education in America. The film won an award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg offered Canada the job of New York City Schools Chancellor, but Canada did not take the job. In 2013, Canada traveled to colleges with Stanley Druckenmiller. They encouraged changes in taxes, health care, and Social Security to help future generations.
Books
Canada's second book, Reaching Up For Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America, was published in 1998.
Awards and Honors
- The First Annual Heinz Award in the Human Condition (1995)
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Bowdoin College (2007)
- National Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged (2007)
- Doctor of Humane letters, Tulane University (2010)
- Doctor of Laws, Columbia University (2010)
- "Local Hero" honor at 2010 BET Awards
- Doctor of Laws, Princeton University (2011)
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Tufts University (2011)
- Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Pennsylvania (2012)
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Dartmouth College
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Brandeis University (2014)
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Bates College (2017)
- Honorary Degree, Berea College (2022)
Appointments
In 2006, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York chose Geoffrey Canada to help lead the Commission on Economic Opportunity. This group worked to create a plan to greatly reduce poverty. In 2011, he was asked to join the New York State Governor's Council of Economic and Fiscal Advisers. He also advises and serves on the boards of many non-profit groups.
