FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2023 | 27 GoGetters: A Lehigh Podcast Joe Buck, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, hosts. SCAN TO LISTEN TO THE GOGETTERS PODCAST SERIES EDUCATION | ALUMNI ʼ06 TRANSFORMING LIVES Otis Hackney ’06G believes in the transformative power of education— he’s seen it in action as a teacher, principal and chief education officer for the Mayor’s Office of Education in Philadelphia. Now Hackney will help empower young people to achieve their dreams through education and mentoring as part of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation. Hackney became president and CEO of the foundation in November 2022. The organization provides students, their families and communities with financial and emotional support to overcome social inequity. “We start with students who are in first or second grade and provide the resources needed to help get them to graduation, through academic and social-emotional resources, after-school and summer programming, and college scholarships,” Hackney said. The organization, founded by businessman Eugene M. Lang in 1981, has grown to operate “I Have a Dream” programs in nine cities. Is education the “great equalizer”? “Does it overcome every aspect of systemic racism, classism, sexism? No, it doesn’t overcome that, but it positions you to better manage those challenges, to break and dismantle some of those systems,” he said. “Education is an important part of that. That’s why I care so much about it.” “And it’s in maintaining some kind of optimism and some kind of belief that you can make things better, that things do get better.” — Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and staff writer for The Atlantic. Tony Silvoy, owner of The Goose Silvoy reflects on finding his calling at the landmark South Side deli, the changes in the neighborhood and his role as an unofficial Lehigh ambassador. Giana Jarrah ’22, Sareena Karim ’22, and Brian Quispe ’20 ’22G Ventures Lab Founders Three young alumni entrepreneurs share their solutions with the world after launching companies with the help of Lehigh’s new Ventures Lab. Mark Wilson, executive director, Zoellner Arts Center As Zoellner Arts Center celebrates a vibrant 25th season, Wilson talks about mentorship, community connections, and the importance of saying yes to new opportunities. CHRISTA NEU KENNER LECTURE ON CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
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