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1999 Newsletter
November, 1999
Hello Friend!
As we approach Thanksgiving and the new year's holidays, I want to reflect on this year's accomplishments, and give thanks to all of those who have made it possible for us to continue our work - giving life to Ennis William Cosby's dreams and hope to others who have learning differences. What a busy and productive year it has been!
We have finished production of the hour long documentary entitled Ennis' Gift: A Film About Learning Differences. Hosted by Ed Bradley, our film includes actors Danny Glover, James Earl Jones, Lindsey Wagner, and Henry Winkler; business leader Charles Schwab; artist Robert Rauschenberg; athlete Bruce Jenner; MacArthur genius award winning paleontologist Jack Horner; polar explorer Ann Bancroft; and Ennis' uncle Russell Cosby along with children, educators, and others whose voices together tell the story of their common experiences, and share a vision of hope and possibility. We have been lucky to work with Seftel Productions of Boston, MA. Josh Seftel, our producer and director, is dyslexic, and he has brought his own passion and originality to the project. We will send you all a postcard when we have specific information about an air date.
We are also proud to initiate the Ennis William Cosby Graduate Certificate Program to begin this fall at Fordham University. This program will provide scholarships to teachers (kindergarten through third grade) to take a sequence of six graduate courses focusing on how to provide all children with effective teaching in the mainstream classroom. Drs. Johanna Uhry and Margaret Jo Shepherd, two of Ennis' professors at Columbia, will respectively direct and advise the program. The Foundation takes great joy in the opportunity to provide scholarships for New York City teachers to have the kind of professional development and learning experiences which excited Ennis so much as a graduate student.
Russell Cosby, a Foundation Director, and Carolyn Olivier, our Education Director, have continued their public awareness efforts in a series of speaking engagements around the country, addressing parents, teachers, administrators and children with learning differences.
A key part of our work is raising the funding to support these important efforts. We held our inaugural Los Angeles fundraiser in November at a beautiful private estate in the Hollywood Hills. Guests enjoyed an evening dedicated to learning and conversation. Table Hosts such as Dr. Dorothy Height, human rights leader and president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women; James Moody, jazz musician; Howard Bingham, photographer; David Driskell, curator and scholar of African American art; and many members of our film cast attended the event. In addition, the Foundation continues to receive support from the proceeds of the annual Cube Checkers Challenge, hosted this year by Target stores. But most of our support comes from individual contributors at all levels who believe in the power of Ennis' mission. For all of our supporters, we have great appreciation.
With your continuing efforts, the possibilities for individuals with learning differences and teachers who want to make a difference will grow. We will make steps to put learning within reach of all children, including those who learn differently. We have many more exciting plans for the future. Your support will enable the Foundation to continue to provide much needed information about learning differences to all people.
Sincerely,
Phillip D. Caputo
President and Executive Director