CHARTING OUR FUTURE

The Power of Us

Charting Our Future brings together diverse voices from K-12, higher education, philanthropy, policy, and community organizations to share insights, build partnerships, and advance solutions that create lasting change. This year’s theme celebrates a fundamental truth about how transformative change happens. It recognizes that our most significant breakthroughs occur not in isolation, but through the collective wisdom and action of communities working together. From classroom innovations that spark student success to policy changes that reshape entire systems, real progress emerges when we unite our diverse perspectives, experiences, and strengths toward a shared vision.

2024 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Geoffrey Canada

May 13

President, Harlem Children's Zone
Founder, William Julius Wilson Institute

Geoffrey Canada is the president of Harlem Children’s Zone​ (HCZ), a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York City, and founder of William Julius Wilson Institute (WJWI)​. An innovator in the field of education, author, and leading advocate for children, Canada has made it his life’s mission to help young people from under-resourced communities succeed through education. To realize his vision, Mr. Canada launched HCZ, a comprehensive, cradle-to-career network of programs that The New York Times called “one of the most ambitious social-policy experiments of our time.” Starting as a one-block pilot project in the 1990s, HCZ today serves more than 34,000 students and families living in a 97-block area of Central Harlem in New York City.

Adam Harris

May 14

Staff Writer, The Atlantic
Author, The State Must Provide

Adam Harris is an award-winning journalist. He is currently a staff writer at The Atlantic covering national politics. He is the author of The State Must Provide, a narrative history of racial inequality in higher education. He was previously a reporter at the Chronicle of Higher Education where he covered federal education policy and historically black colleges and universities. Prior to joining The Chronicle he worked at ProPublica, and has been a National Fellow at New America. He was named to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and his writing has appeared in BBC, Bleacher Report, and EBONY Magazine.

Continuous Improvement
Using data to challenge systems of oppression and achieve objectives of ongoing learning and fairness.
Community Engagement
Empowering families and young people to make informed decisions on issues that impact their lives.
Education Justice
Exploring the interconnectedness of today’s education challenges and the ongoing impact of historical racism.
Addressing the System
Examining strategies and techniques that have proven effective in addressing the underlying structural causes of racial inequity
Advocacy
Leveraging your position to advocate for local, regional, and state policies that address racial disparities and promote student success.

PAST KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Geoffrey Canada

Founder & President, Harlem Children's Zone

Adam Harris

Journalist, The Atlantic

Yazmin Trudeau

Washington State Senator, District 27

Liz Dozier

Founder & CEO, Chicago Beyond

Deray Mckesson

Educator & Civil Rights Activist

Malcolm Mitchell

Superbowl Champion & Author

Nikkita Oliver

Executive Director, Creative Justice

Bree Newsome

Activist & Filmmaker

Charting Our Future Over the Years

Local Focus, Statewide Impact

In 2025, COF brought together youth-centered organizations, thought leaders, and passionate advocates from across the education ecosystem to harness the power of community-driven initiatives to drive systemic change. 

Empowering Equitable Futures

In 2023, the third annual COF conference focused around opportunities to scale efforts throughout the county to create conditions for success. Speakers and workshops explored what it would take to create a truly equitable education system.

Changing Systems, Changing Lives

In 2022, the Foundation for Tacoma Students brought together over 300 community partners, for the first time post-pandemic. We were joined by nearly 60 speakers leading powerful discussions around Changing Systems, Changing Lives.

Race, Justice, and the Education System

In April 2021, the Foundation for Tacoma Students hosted its first inaugural Charting Our Future conference. Over 500 educators, partners, leaders, and community members joined the 3-day virtual event to focus on one theme: Race, Justice & the Education System.