Press release from Entertainment Industry Foundation, Aug. 18, 2017:

Viola Davis and Julius Tennon will executive-produce “EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live,” a special one-hour telecast event which will invite the public to help rethink the future of American high schools. The announcement was jointly made today by XQ Institute and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). The telecast will combine live musical, comedy and documentary segments to bring to life the past, present and future of the American high school system. The event will air live from Los Angeles on all four major U.S. networks – ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC – on Friday, Sept. 8 at 8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed.

In addition to Davis and Tennon, the star-studded event in support of the national education initiative will be produced by Done + Dusted and directed by Hamish Hamilton. Through live musical performances, comedic sketches, and more, the program will challenge viewers to understand that rethinking high school education is crucial for the future of our country.

“We are excited to team up with EIF and XQ Institute to help bring awareness to the issue of high school education and ensure that our students are receiving an education that prepares them for the future,” Viola Davis and Julius Tennon said. “As executive producers of this live special, we are honored to work alongside some incredible names in the entertainment and education space.”

The event, which will be broadcast live from Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport, will show how educators, parents, school administrators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and students can serve as key influencers of change and will provide viewers insight into how to spark this transformation and tools to initiate the process within their communities.

“We are thrilled to be working with XQ Institute and EIF, as well as Viola and Julius, on such an incredible and powerful production,” said Hamish Hamilton, Director and Executive Producer at Done + Dusted, who will direct the telecast. “It’s a high honor and great privilege to work on a star-studded show that will challenge the public to reimagine what’s possible when it comes to the education of our young people.”

Additional partners of the telecast include Anonymous Content, MACRO and Wise Entertainment. The show will also include multi-platform digital components to encourage viewers to engage and participate online, on mobile and in their communities. To join the movement and learn more, visit https://xqsuperschool.org/live/.

About XQ Institute

XQ is a nationwide community comprised of students, teachers, parents, educators, business leaders and change makers. All of us are committed to a singular, extraordinary mission: rethinking, reshaping, and remaking the American high school so that it can truly prepare each and every student for success in college, career, and life.

XQ: The Super School Project launched in September 2015 as an open call to rethink and design the American high school. More than 10,000 students, educators, parents and community leaders from all 50 states and representing nearly 4,000 communities answered this call by proposing innovative, student-centered models for 21st century learning. Today, these innovators and supporters are a community of 78,000 strong and growing. To date, XQ has pledged $115 million to a growing number of the most promising ideas, actively supporting these teams on their journeys to become Super Schools.

XQ is led by Co-Founder and CEO Russlynn Ali, former Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights under President Barack Obama, and Co-Founder and Board Chair Laurene Powell Jobs, president of Emerson Collective. Board members include Yo-Yo Ma, Marc Ecko, Geoffrey Canada, Michael Klein and Leon Wieseltier. For more information visit https://xqsuperschool.org/.

About the Entertainment Industry Foundation

The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), established in 1942, harnesses the collective power of the entire industry to generate awareness and funds for critical health, educational and social issues. Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a division of EIF and its largest initiative, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about cancer prevention as well as progress being made in the fight against the disease. SU2C accelerates research to get new therapies to patients quickly. Since its founding nine years ago, SU2C has launched 20 collaborative “Dream Teams” comprising over 1,200 scientists from 144 leading institutions around the world. That research, including over 170 planned, initiated or completed clinical trials, has led to Food and Drug Administration approval of two new treatments. Hunger Is, EIF’s collaboration with The Albertsons Companies Foundation, has raised awareness of childhood hunger and supports breakfast, afterschool and out-of-school meal programs.