Keynote Speaker

David Lawrence, Jr.

Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, Miami-Dade County - President

He is president of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation in Miami-Dade County and is "University Scholar for Early Childhood Development and Readiness" at the University of Florida. David retired as publisher of the Miami Herald in 1999 to work in the area of early childhood development and readiness. Gov. Crist named him to the state's Children's Cabinet in '07. He led a 2002 campaign for the Children's Trust, a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding for children in Miami-Dade and he is "founding chair," appointed by Gov. Bush, of the Florida Partnership for School Readiness. He helped pass a statewide constitutional amendment to provide pre-K for all 4-year-olds in Florida. A fully endowed chair in early childhood studies has been established in his name at the University of Florida College of Education.

David had a distinguished career in journalism. The Miami Herald won five Pulitzers during his tenure. He was publisher and executive editor of the Detroit Free Press and editor of the Charlotte Observer, all then Knight-Ridder newspapers. He was president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. He served on the ASNE delegation to Russia in the early 80s and their board. He also received the Distinguished Service to the First Amendment Award from Scripps Howard Foundation. He has been widely awarded, recognized and applauded for all his professional endeavors. He is an impassioned, thoughtful orator.

Text of Keynote Speech
The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation - teachmorelovemore.org