Portland education advocate Swati Adarkar, and Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award winner Common to speak at Concordia University’s annual education award gala Feb. 4
A star of Oregon education and a Hollywood star with a passion for education will both be part of a special awards night Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the new Hyatt Regency Hotel, 375 NE Holladay St., in Portland.
Concordia University will present its Governor Victor Atiyeh Leadership in Education Award to Swati Adarkar at its gala. Adarkar is co-founder, president and CEO of Children’s Institute. The statewide, early childhood advocacy organization works to ensure children have the programs and services they need to nurture their love of learning and prepare them for success in school and beyond.
The event’s keynote speaker will be Common, a musician, actor, author, philanthropist and activist who has won a Grammy, an Emmy and an Academy Award. The son of a Chicago School Board member, he also helped create an arts-focused charter school in his hometown of Chicago.
The gala will feature musical performances by LaRhonda Steele, otherwise known as “Portland’s First Lady of the Blues.” The Cascade Blues Association named Steele the “Best Female Vocalist” in 2017 and 2016.
Tickets are available for purchase for $300 each, or $2,500 for a table of 10. Premium tables at $5,000 each include two tickets to the pre-gala private reception with Common and Adarkar. Contact Concordia University at (503) 493-6579 or events@cu-portland.edu for more info, or visit ConcordiaLeaders.com.
Up to 600 people are expected to attend the ninth annual event, set for 6:30-9 p.m. Funds raised there will support student scholarships and Concordia’s ground-breaking 3toPhD® model for education. Motivational speaker Kimberely Dixon, 3toPhD co-chair, will serve as emcee.
“This is sure to be an entertaining, educational, memorable, thought provoking and definitely an uncommon evening,” said Rev. Dr. Tom Ries, who started as the university’s interim president Jan. 2.
Concordia created the event to recognize those who make significant contributions to regional education.
“Swati is a unique individual who has made an incredible impact on early childhood development and education in Oregon,” said Ries. “Her outstanding achievements on behalf of children and families in our state have been recognized locally, regionally and nationally.”
Common will take a break from his busy performance and acting schedule to speak about his dedication to advocating for the underserved and the work he’s done to improve the lives of students and inspire them to dream beyond their circumstances.
“In supporting students, advancing civics education and collaborating in partnerships such as 3toPhD, we all have something in common. We strive to make the world a better place,” said Ries.
Sponsors of the gala include HotChalk Inc., Orbis Education, Stoel Rives LLP and Gloria and Ross Edwards.
About Swati Adarkar
As head of the Children’s Institute (CI), Adarkar has engaged civic, business and political leaders to make early childhood education a state policy priority.
CI helped nearly double the state budget for Head Start in 2007. In 2010, the organization launched Early Works at Earl Boyles Elementary School, a nationally recognized initiative demonstrating Adarkar’s vision for neighborhood schools that partner with families and community organizations to offer preschool and other family supports.
CI successfully advocated in 2019 for an historic $200 million annual investment in early childhood programs and services. Adarkar also led the way on the Early School Success initiative to align preschool and elementary instruction, and she has expanded CI’s work to connect early health and learning to ensure young children receive the health services they need to be ready for school.
Adarkar earned a master’s in public administration degree at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in communications studies from UCLA.
About Common
Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., 48, better known as Common, grew up in the south side of Chicago as the son of an educator and a former professional basketball player. He started rapping while in high school and released his first album in 1992. He went on to become an internationally known music and film star whose poetry led to a White House performance for Pres. Obama.
While he is famous for his artistic achievements, he also created the Common Ground Foundation. The organization empowers high school students from under-served communities to become future leaders. Its programs focus on character development, social impact, healthy living, technology, financial literacy, creative arts and global leadership.
About Concordia University
Concordia University-Portland is Oregon’s largest private, nonprofit university. Located in northeast Portland, Ore., Concordia was founded in 1905 as a Lutheran university with a mission of preparing leaders for the transformation of society. Concordia Portland serves more than 6,000 students on its campuses and online, through its College of Education, College of Health & Human Sciences, School of Management, and Concordia University School of Law in Boise, Idaho. For more about Concordia University, visit www.cu-portland.edu and law.cu-portland.edu.
Contact: Elizabeth Loulan (850) 339-9542