On May 17, Hill Harper, Tony Plana, and Priscilla Diaz will join CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison at the PBS Annual Meeting in Denver for a public discussion on the nation’s dropout crisis as part of the public media initiative, American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen, made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Priscilla Star Diaz has come a long way.  The charmingly little girl of Gabriel Noble’s P-Star Rising (2009) is now a poised 17-year-old starring in her third season of The Electric Company.  The hip-hop sensation—who experienced her own struggle with literacy—frequently speaks about self-esteem, persistence, and the value of an education.  Diaz is one of several high-profile supporters of American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen who will join public media professionals from across the country at the PBS Annual Meeting in Denver next week.

Patricia Harrison, CEO of CPB

Hill Harper, the film, television and stage actor currently starring in CSI: NY, and notable actor Tony Plana of Ugly Betty fame, will appear with Diaz and CPB President & CEO Patricia Harrison at a special American Graduate breakfast meeting on Thursday morning.

Launched in 2011, American Graduate is public media’s initiative to help communities address the dropout crisis.  The project  includes television and radio specials, screenings and  Teacher Town Halls  with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, community partnerships, and, engaging curricula for students in an out of the  classroom, and includes new ITVS programming that focuses on the Latino community. High school dropout is an issue that has many faces, and affects people in myriad walks of life—and people across the country are taking action.
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