Dr. Marco Clark, well respected author, public speaker, and veteran in the world of urban education is Founder and CEO of the Richard Wright Public Charter School in Washington, DC. He is a partner with Broken Promise Schools, an organization that seeks to restore trust in public school education. Dr. Clark is also co-Founder of the Chicago based student-leadership program, Peace through Urban Exchange, an organization dedicated to building tomorrow's leaders, through education.
At the age of 11, a guidance counselor labeled Dr. Clark as a functional illiterate, which disrupted his educational journey for many years. However, it was that label that eventually sparked Dr. Clark's fight against illiteracy. Through the support of his parents, Dr. Clark was able to make it through high school and go on to Clark Atlanta University, where he met a professor, Dr. Johnny L. Wilson, who recognized his potential, believed in him, and helped him shape his educational path and platform for the years to come. After receiving his bachelor of arts degree in political science and a minor in secondary education from Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Clark went on to earn a master's degree in special education, a master's degree in education administration and a doctorate in higher education. By the age of 34, almost 25 years after being labeled as a functional illiterate, Dr. Clark emerged as a noted educator and scholar.
Dr. Clark strongly believes that illiteracy is the civil rights issue of today and the catastrophe of tomorrow, if it's left uncorrected. Dr. Clark was featured in JET magazine discussing his battles with reading as a youth and how he overcame it. He has also been featured in the Huffington Post as an educational reformer who continues to fight illiteracy.
Many political and school system executive officials have acknowledged Dr. Clark's ability to offer a fresh mix of traditional and contemporary approaches to motivating troubled youth and mobilizing communities. Historical icon, Congressman John Lewis (Democrat for the 8th District of Georgia) recognized Dr. Clark's unique ability to identify with students and to spark their desire to achieve. Yvette Alexander, District of Columbia Council Member Ward #7, insists that, "Dr. Clark's leadership is vital to the community".
Dr. Clark has received numerous awards and appeared on hundreds of talk shows as well as serving as keynote speaker in various venues across the country. Dr. Clark is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and will continue to be a strong advocate for educational and social change. His motto is, "You can't beat a person who is determined to win."
