Discussing Big Challenges, Exploring Bold Ideas | The AIR Opportunity Fund

At the AIR Opportunity Fund, we bring people together to exchange ideas, share insights, and explore solutions that expand opportunity in education, workforce development, public safety, and community well-being. Through public convenings, expert panels, and in-depth discussions, we connect researchers, practitioners, and community leaders to bridge research and action.

Events

Working at the Intersections Symposium: Reimagining the Future of Education in Atlanta and Beyond 

At the AIR Opportunity Fund’s second annual Working at the Intersections Symposium, national experts joined Atlanta’s educators, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the state of schools today. This event explored evidence-based approaches to ensuring all students have access to high-quality education. 

Watch the video.
 


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Brown vs Board of Education 70th Anniversary event

Brown v. Board at 70: Progress, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Co-hosted with The Century Foundation’s Bridges Collaborative, this event marked 70 years since the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. Experts in education, housing, and policy reflected progress made, ongoing challenges, and what’s needed to expand educational opportunities in the 21st century.

Learn more about AIR’s Bridges Collaborative Continuous Improvement Study.
 


Understanding Health Outcomes in an Evolving Population

As demographics shift, traditional racial and ethnic categories don’t always reflect how people identify—or how their health outcomes are measured. Dr. David E. Hayes-Bautista, an AIR Scholar, led a discussion with students at the University of Texas at San Antonio about the need for more accurate ways to assess health data and the role of research in shaping solutions. 

Watch the video. 
 


Working at the Intersections Symposium: Reimagining the Future of Public Safety in Nashville and Beyond

At the AIR Opportunity Fund’s first Working at the Intersections Symposium, community leaders, young people, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners gathered to discuss youth justice and public safety in Nashville and beyond. 

Watch the video and read key takeaways.

 


Four Perspectives on Helping All Students Thrive

AIR Board Vice Chair Lawrence Bobo moderated a roundtable with experts from across the education system. Panelists shared how the pandemic shaped education practices, revealed new challenges, and inspired solutions to help students succeed. 

Read key takeaways.

 


The Intersection of Technology and Educational Access

Technology has the power to bridge gaps in education—but it can also create new ones. In this conversation, Michael Garet, AIR vice president and institute fellow, and Tracy Gray, AIR managing director, discussed findings from the National Survey of Public Education’s Response to COVID-19 and what the future holds for technology and learning. 

Read key takeaways.