"Peer-to-peer Mentoring in school and impact on performance", a discussion as part of series of education reform strategies and conversations, will be presented by Hussain B. Ahmed, Ed. D. on Thursday, August 20, 2009, 6:30 PM, at the Baobab Cultural Center, 728 University Ave., Rochester. The discussion is open to the public; a $5 donation per participant is suggested.

Dr. Ahmed is the president/CEO and founder of the Center for Self-Transformation, Educational Leadership, Collaborative Learning and Change, Inc. (dba: The Center for Change, Inc.). The Center is a grassroots non-profit 501 (c) 3 community organization located in Rochester, New York and its mission is to assess, design, develop, train, implement, coordinate, and evaluate human relationship centered educational programs for public and private schools. In carrying out this mission, the center services and enhances the academic and social skills development of students, parents and school personnel through school redesign educational services to nurture a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and empowerment.

Dr. Ahmed has extensive experience in leadership development and in mobilizing community resources to create partnerships in solving community problems. He served two terms as an AmeriCorps volunteer and earned the Presidential Gold Pin Award for serving at least 3,500 man hours of community service. He has experience in for-profit and non-profit sectors with over 20+ years teaching experience at the higher education, secondary and middle school levels. He is a consultant with the City of Rochester’s Youth Services Bureau and with the Rochester City School District. Dr. Ahmed has worked for the Urban League of Rochester as Counselor/Employment Specialist; Planned Parenthood of Greater Rochester, as Community Education Specialist; and the Rochester Institute of Technology Higher Education Opportunity Program, as Senior Counselor and Assistant Professor (Educational Development Faculty). At the American Red Cross, he worked as Coordinator of Black Youth Leadership Development; and served as Coordinator for High School Programs at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Offices of Education and Multi-cultural Affairs.

Dr. Ahmed is an experienced educator, social entrepreneur, youth advocate and a graduate of SUNY, College at Cortland, Cortland, New York (B.Sc. in Biology/Philosophy; M. Sc. in Education); Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York (M. Sc. in Career and Human Resource Development); and Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Rochester, New York with an M. Sc. in Human Development/Educational Psychology, and an Ed. D. in Higher Education/Educational Leadership. Dr Ahmed sits on several nonprofit boards and is the co-founder of the University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men, Rochester, New York.

Upcoming discussions scheduled to take place as part of the Education dialogue series will include a discussion on Thursday, September 17 led by Iris Banister - "School suspension and impact on productivity and teacher satisfaction," and on Thursday, October 1, 2009 Dr. Bill Cala will discuss "New models for primary and secondary education."

The Baobab Cultural Center presents community dialogues and special guest speakers as a way to build trust and shared understanding of our collective human experience-a time-treasured African tradition. More information about the center and its programs is available at www.thebaobab.org.