Title
To recognize Omar Wasow as Keynote Speaker for the Ninth Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute.
Body
WHEREAS, the theme of the Ninth Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute, taking place November20-21, 2008, is "Stepping Outside the Box: Moving Our Learners Forward;" and
WHEREAS, Mr. Omar Wasow will be a featured speaker at this year's event, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of new media and the new economy; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wasow's young start at computer and internet programming provided him with the knowledge to launch BlackPlanet.com in 1999, and as Executive Director of the site, Mr. Wasow has seen it become the leading site for African Americans and one of the 50 most heavily trafficked sites on the Internet; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wasow's work has earned him acclaim as the "Silicon Valley's Philosopher Prince" and a reputation of providing an accessible window into technology for audiences young and old, as well as being named by Newsweek Magazine "one of the fifty most influential people to watch in cyberspace;" and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wasow currently serves as co-chair of the Coalition for Independent Public Charter Schools and as a member of several non-profit boards including the Third Wave Fund, WorldStudio and the Center for Communication, which gives him a unique understanding of the issues facing our students, teachers, administrators and schools as a whole; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and recognize Mr. Omar Wasow on his participation in this year's Ohio School Improvement Institute, taking place November 20-21, 2008