Canada has led the Harlem Children's Zone, a nonprofit education organization, since 1990. The Harlem Children's Zone provides resources and educational opportunities, including parenting workshops and free pre-school to underprivileged children and families in Harlem. The New York Times magazine called the Harlem Children's Zone "one of the most ambitious social experiments of our time."
Canada has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in education, especially after being prominently featured in Davis Guggenheim's documentary "Waiting for Superman'"(2010). His efforts with the organization have become a national model as well as source of controversy among education reformers.
The Harlem Children's Zone focuses on both struggling students and families in New York City with the goal of creating "a tipping point" so that children are surrounded by supportive college-oriented peers and parents.
The organization's portrayal as an overwhelming success in "Waiting for Superman'" was not received without criticism. Various news outlets, including The New York Times and The New Yorker reported on criticism of the group for relying on wealthy philanthropists and for skewing its test results. Others have criticized "Waiting For Superman'" for portraying charter schools too positively.
Canada grew up in the South Bronx and earned a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College and a master's of education from Harvard University's School of Education.
Despite his prominence in the education field, students interviewed largely did not know who Canada was.
"I think it's a big step down from Conan O'Brien," Katherine Bach '16 said.
Kelly Brait '14 said he might offer a different view that could be beneficial to students given the current campus climate.
"I feel like there's this element of mindfulness that has been brought to Dartmouth lately," Brait said. "From what I've read of this guy he seems like a really mindful speaker. He'll give students a greater perspective."
In addition to Canada, oncologist Susan Desmond-Hellman, former IBM chairman and CEO Louis Gerstner Jr. '63, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artistic director emerita Judith Jamison, litigator and former trustee William King Jr. '63, Canadian filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and former director of the National Science Foundation Subra Suresh will receive honorary degrees.
