Savannah Keith Gress’ Post

🌟 Exciting News! Ryse's School Selection Info Sessions Running October 21st to 31st 🌟 As many of you know, I’m in the process of building Ryse, a social venture that helps families make informed and confident choices about their children’s education. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our School Selection Info Sessions pilot, running from **October 21st to 31st** for Charlotte-area families. 💡 Why Ryse? When my family was choosing among our 45 public school options (!), I saw first-hand how overwhelming it can be. Without quality information, families are often left to use assumptions, opinions, or school rating systems that have been shown to be highly misleading. The result—families too often regret their choice, they miss out on great options, and our schools become more segregated and inequitable. That’s why I’m starting Ryse—to provide families with evidence-based insights and transparent school data so they can make choices that align with their values and priorities while contributing to a strong education system for all. 🗣️ Share with Charlotte-Area Families Who May Benefit 🗣️ If you know families or groups—such as neighborhood organizations, parent groups, or religious communities—who might want to save time and bring clarity to the confusing process, please share this with them! We support families from all backgrounds—those who have been meticulously reviewing data on all their options and those who may sign up for their zoned school without considering alternatives. ✅ 1.5 hour virtual sessions at parent-friendly times ✅ Sliding scale pricing ✅ Free sessions in partnership with nonprofits—reach out if interested!  ✅ Private sessions for groups (your bookclub? Church small group?) Learn more on our website! Thank you for your support! 🙏 www.rysekids.com

If you’ve ever imagined a world where data fuels real change but felt overwhelmed by the challenges, this article is a must-read! It presents, 🙌 “a successful, actionable, and replicable framework for developing and implementing processes to support intradepartmental data access, integration, and ethical use.” 🙌 I especially appreciate the use of **participatory action research methods** and **deliberative dialogue**. The **use cases** highlighted in the paper show the huge impact of this work. —Linking prescription drug dispenser data with vital records —Flagging people enrolled in one service who are eligible for others that they'd benefit from but aren't enrolled in —Identifying patients at risk for self-harm Kudos to the team for their persistence, expertise, and vision in making this happen!

TL;DR | The final round of my first-ever pitch competition for my new social venture, Ryse, is today at noon! Tune in to cheer on 10 entrepreneurs with great ideas! 🌈 I'm excited to share more about Ryse and my motivation for starting it soon. In the meantime, check out our website and sign up for updates! www.rysekids.com -- ⚡ Three months ago, I had an idea for how business might be able to fuel the change I hope to see in schools and communities across our nation. The start-up world is a new space for me, having worked to address education injustice via public institutions and non-profits. But, I’m excited about the path I see for sparking change at the scale of the problem! 🚀 🗓 Two months ago I applied to #53Ideas, my first-ever pitch competition. It has been such a great resource that has supported me in articulating my idea, gaining insights from customers, refining the strategy, developing a business plan, prototyping, and creating branding in prep for the beta launch (coming this fall!). 😀 I was thrilled to be chosen among the top 10 pitches and invited to participate in this final round of pitches. Regardless of the prizes, I genuinely feel that this process has already been a win for me. I’ve moved the business farther faster than I would have without this support. ☀ There is lots of learning ahead! It’s humbling after spending the first half of your career developing expertise to now step into a zone of so much new expertise to develop. But I feel energized by the challenge and possibilities! -- 📣 📣 📣 In the spirit of celebrating the small wins together, I don’t want to miss a chance to shout out the people who make the journey possible and worthwhile:  🌟 First, to Aaron Gress, for listening to hours of talking about this idea, shaping up my financial model 📈 , being a *fully equal and amazing parent* so that we can both pursue our dreams, and endlessly supporting me in innumerable ways. 💕 🌟 To my lifelong cheerleaders, Ronnie Keith & Sonya Keith, who paved the way with their many entrepreneurial successes and helped hone this pitch, along with my dear niece, Sofia Satterfield.  🌟 To those generous enough to be advisors for this still-emerging idea and for all the ways the many gifts of your friendship are woven into this passion project: Daisy H., Caroline Hill, Jen M. Torres, Victor Udoewa. Having you on my team makes the vision feel possible! 🌟 To the endlessly talented muralist and all-around design goddess who named the company and created its branding, Nicole Simone Buchholz. Also known as the best partner in mothering a person could ask for!   🌟 To South Piedmont Community College and Fifth Third Bank for supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem with valuable opportunities like 53 Ideas! Onward together!

Thanks to those who participated in, spread the word about, or watched recordings of the three-part series, "Examining the Evidence on Beliefs about Public Schools"! The feedback, discussion during and after sessions, and connections spurred by the series have been so rich. ⭐ RECORDINGS | You can find the recordings of all three sessions here. Feel free to share with others who may be interested. /https://lnkd.in/eP488Qd9 ⭐ GATHERING | Some survey respondents said they'd like to get together with others who engaged with the series or are otherwise interested in this topic. If you are interested in gathering with others virtually or in person, please answer these three quick questions by Monday 5/20: https://lnkd.in/erQJMRkV ⭐ CONNECT WITH SCHOOLS | Do you know a school that is serious about eliminating the differences in how students are supported based on their social identities? If so, I'd love to chat with them or you about how we might get there. It is possible! ⭐ SPREAD AWARENESS | If you know of other groups who would benefit from this conversation or a deeper dive into school data or research on this or related topics with an understanding of injustice, reach out. That may include PTAs, parent groups, school staff, religious groups, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, etc. Awareness gives us choice. If we are aware of how dominant beliefs drive inequity and mislead families, we can choose to do something differently. https://lnkd.in/et4Hrw2i

Join us tomorrow from 11-12 pm for our final session! The participation, great feedback (in person + via the survey), and thoughtful conversations beyond the sessions have been so rich. Can't wait for tomorrow! Examining the Evidence on Common Beliefs about Public Schools https://lnkd.in/eYN-ztPg Recordings of Sessions 1 & 2 available here: https://lnkd.in/eP488Qd9 11am - 12pm ET | Virtual 🗓 APRIL 25 | Are Charlotte’s public schools strong? (see recording on website) 🗓 MAY 2 | Are the highest-rated schools the best? 🗓 MAY 9 | Why do student outcomes differ based on racial/ethnic identity & income? + What can we do? These sessions are for: ⭐ FAMILIES navigating education choices ⭐ Education and community LEADERS ⭐ ANYONE seeking to better understand the broader public school system …in Charlotte and beyond We will: *Use data and research with a critical lens to evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about public schools. *Expose common missteps when choosing a school or identifying “good” schools that create a lose-lose dynamic: less informed school choices by families and more inequity for everyone *Explore hopeful paths forward for families, schools, and communities. Note: We will examine Charlotte-specific data but highlight patterns relevant across the U.S.

Yes! A concise and astute summary of the very thing we have been talking about in K-12 that also happens in higher ed. Right on! Join us this Thursday or check out past recordings online to hear more about how this same illusion shows up in K-12! Sessions 1 & 2 recordings available here: https://lnkd.in/eP488Qd9 Register for Session 3 of Examining the Evidence on Common Beliefs about Public Schools here: https://lnkd.in/eYN-ztPg 11am - 12pm ET | Virtual 🗓 APRIL 25 | Are Charlotte’s public schools strong? (see recording on website) 🗓 MAY 2 | Are the highest-rated schools the best? 🗓 MAY 9 | Why do student outcomes differ based on racial/ethnic identity & income? + What can we do? These sessions are for: ⭐ FAMILIES navigating education choices ⭐ Education and community LEADERS ⭐ ANYONE seeking to better understand the broader public school system …in Charlotte and beyond We will: *Use data and research with a critical lens to evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about public schools. *Expose common missteps when choosing a school or identifying “good” schools that create a lose-lose dynamic: less informed school choices by families and more inequity for everyone *Explore hopeful paths forward for families, schools, and communities.

Recordings of sessions 1 and 2 are online. Join us for the final session on May 9th! Recordings available here: https://lnkd.in/eP488Qd9 Register for Session 3 of Examining the Evidence on Common Beliefs about Public Schools here: https://lnkd.in/eYN-ztPg 11am - 12pm ET | Virtual 🗓 APRIL 25 | Are Charlotte’s public schools strong? (see recording on website) 🗓 MAY 2 | Are the highest-rated schools the best? 🗓 MAY 9 | Why do student outcomes differ based on racial/ethnic identity & income? + What can we do? These sessions are for: ⭐ FAMILIES navigating education choices ⭐ Education and community LEADERS ⭐ ANYONE seeking to better understand the broader public school system …in Charlotte and beyond We will: *Use data and research with a critical lens to evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about public schools. *Expose common missteps when choosing a school or identifying “good” schools that create a lose-lose dynamic: less informed school choices by families and more inequity for everyone *Explore hopeful paths forward for families, schools, and communities. Note: We will examine Charlotte-specific data but highlight patterns relevant across the U.S.

Come join us for session 2! Examining the Evidence --> "Are the highest-rated schools the best?" Recording of Session 1: https://lnkd.in/eP488Qd9 Examining the Evidence on Common Beliefs about Public Schools https://lnkd.in/eYN-ztPg 11am - 12pm ET | Virtual 🗓 APRIL 25 | Are Charlotte’s public schools strong? (see recording on website) 🗓 MAY 2 | Are the highest-rated schools the best? 🗓 MAY 9 | Why do student outcomes differ based on racial/ethnic identity & income? + What can we do? These sessions are for: ⭐ FAMILIES navigating education choices ⭐ Education and community LEADERS ⭐ ANYONE seeking to better understand the broader public school system …in Charlotte and beyond We will: *Use data and research with a critical lens to evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about public schools. *Expose common missteps when choosing a school or identifying “good” schools that create a lose-lose dynamic: less informed school choices by families and more inequity for everyone *Explore hopeful paths forward for families, schools, and communities. Note: We will examine Charlotte-specific data but highlight patterns relevant across the U.S.

Last call for anyone who can join today 11-12pm ET! If not today, sign up for next week (5/2) and (5/9). Register here:https://lnkd.in/eYN-ztPg This 3-part series will: - Use data and research with a critical lens to evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about public schools. - Expose common missteps when choosing a school or identifying “good” schools that create a lose-lose dynamic: less informed school choices by families and more inequity for everyone - Explore hopeful paths forward for families, schools, and communities. *We will examine Charlotte-specific data but highlight patterns relevant across the U.S. 11am - 12pm ET | Virtual APRIL 25 | Are Charlotte’s public schools strong? MAY 2 | Are the highest-rated schools the best? MAY 9 | Why do student outcomes differ based on racial/ethnic identity & income? + What can we do? These sessions are for: **FAMILIES navigating education choices **Education and community LEADERS **ANYONE seeking to better understand what beliefs about schools reveal in light of the evidence …in Charlotte and beyond

Come join the conversation about what's going on here, how it's impacting families and the education system, and what we do about it. Examining the Evidence on Common Beliefs about Public Schools https://lnkd.in/eYN-ztPg 11am - 12pm ET | Virtual 🗓 APRIL 25 | Are Charlotte’s public schools strong? 🗓 MAY 2 | Are the highest-rated schools the best? 🗓 MAY 9 | Why do student outcomes differ based on racial/ethnic identity & income? + What can we do? These sessions are for: ⭐ FAMILIES navigating education choices ⭐ Education and community LEADERS ⭐ ANYONE seeking to better understand the broader public school system …in Charlotte and beyond We will: *Use data and research with a critical lens to evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about public schools. *Expose common missteps when choosing a school or identifying “good” schools that create a lose-lose dynamic: less informed school choices by families and more inequity for everyone *Explore hopeful paths forward for families, schools, and communities. Note: We will examine Charlotte-specific data but highlight patterns relevant across the U.S.