Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe, Associate Professor of Education, will speak before 3,000 guests, including President Obama, at the 15th Annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Slesaransky-Poe, a trainer and consultant for the HRC’s Welcoming Schools initiative, will speak after a video is shown illustrating the impact of the program on her children’s school. Welcoming Schools offers an LGBT-inclusive approach to addressing family diversity, gender stereotyping, bullying and name-calling in elementary schools. She also will introduce emerging music celebrity Greyson Chance, who will perform moments before President Obama gives the keynote address.

“As a teacher educator, and a parent of a child who challenges society’s assumptions and expectations of what it means to be a boy, I see the value of the Welcoming Schools approach,” says Slesaransky-Poe, whose family will accompany her to the event. “It equips schools and educators with very useful tools to create safe and welcoming environments where all students, regardless of their family composition, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation, feel welcomed and full members of their classroom and school communities.”