Benjamin Todd Jealous Joins LPFI Board of Directors

Former head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Ben Jealous, Joins Level Playing Field Institute Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

CONTACT: Bianca Escalante, Associate Director of Development

EMAIL: bianca@www.smash.org

Oakland, CA – (April 24, 2014)  Benjamin Todd Jealous, Venture Partner at Kapor Capital and former President and CEO of the NAACP, has joined the board of directors of the Level Playing Field Institute, the organization has announced.

“The Level Playing Field Institute has done tremendous work to eliminate the barriers faced by under-represented communities in the fields of math, science and technology,” said Jealous. “I have always admired this team, and it is an honor for me to join as a member of the board of directors.”

Founded in 2001, the Level Playing Field Institute operates science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-focused Education Programs, and conducts research on STEM equity. 

“Ben has dedicated his life to ending racial and economic gaps in society,” said Dr. Freada Kapor Klein, LPFI founder and Co-Chair of the Kapor Center for Social Impact. “We are tremendously pleased that he will bring his experience and strategy sense to the Level Playing Field Institute.”

“Ben Jealous’ energy and commitment will be invaluable as we grow our STEM programs to expand the number of underrepresented youth choosing a STEM career path,” said Dr. Harry Bims, LPFI Board Chair and Founder of BoughtStuff, Inc.  “I am delighted to welcome Ben to the LPFI board.”

The Level Playing Field Institute runs a number of programs, including the Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH), an intensive 5-week summer math and science enrichment program for low-income high school students of color under-represented in STEM, and SMASH Prep, a year-round Saturday program for African American males in grades 6-8.

“Ben has a long and distinguished track record bolstering black male achievement, said Dr. Jarvis Sulcer, Executive Director of LPFI. “He will bring important leadership and vision to our team.”

Jealous joined the Kapor Capital as a Venture Partner in February. In his five years heading the  NAACP, he was recognized as a leader of successful state and local movements to ban the death penalty, outlaw racial profiling, defend voting rights, secure marriage equality, and free multiple wrongfully incarcerated people from prison.

About Level Playing Field Institute

Level Playing Field Institute (LPFI) is an Oakland based nonprofit committed to eliminating the barriers faced by underrepresented people of color in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and fostering their untapped talent for the advancement of our nation.