Justin Timberlake, Tom Hanks Inspire Youth to Rethink High School
The biggest names in entertainment, journalism, sports, and music – Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Common, James Corden, Tom Hanks, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel L. Jackson, Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ringo Starr, Justin Timberlake, U2, Jennifer Hudson, Sheryl Crow and much more – joined educators, parents, and more for “EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live,” a one-hour telecast and multi-platform event that invited the public to help rethink the future of American high schools. The all-star telecast aired live at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar on all four major U.S. networks – ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.
“EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live was not an ending, but a beginning. It was the beginning of a renewed sense of optimism in America that every child, every student—from any zipcode—can get the education they deserve, to lead a life of success as they define it. That our best days aren’t behind us, but ahead of us. That for all the problems in the world and divides in our country, the American spirit of ingenuity is alive and well, and, most of all, capable of solving the biggest issues of our day,” said XQ Co-Founder and CEO Russlynn Ali. “Tonight’s telecast was a reminder foreveryone of just how much work lies ahead of us,but also how worthwhile, rewarding, and wonderful that work will be when we do it together.”
SANTA MONICA, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Samuel L. Jackson speaks onstage during the XQ Super School Live, presented by EIF, at Barker Hangar on September 8, 2017 in Santa California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for EIF)
SANTA MONICA, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Common attends XQ Super School Live, presented by EIF, at Barker Hangar on September 8, 2017 in Santa California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for EIF)
Throughout the telecast, there was a roster of musical performances which culminated in a star-studded, moving finale performance of The Beatles,’ “Come Together,” led by Jennifer Hudson, with Jon Boogz, Sheryl Crow, MC Hammer, Sheila E., JAX, Ringo Starr, Reggie Watts, Max Weinberg and Max Weinberg’s Jukebox,D’Wayne Wiggins, Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma,and U2.
Kelly Clarksonalso performed a new song, “Move You,” from her forthcoming album, “Meaning of Life.” Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris introduced country star, Hunter Hayes, who added to the roster of performers, which also included Jordan Fisher and Andra Day.
Highlights include:
- Lin-Manuel Miranda visited his old high school and his high school theatre teacher, Gina McCort. They reminisced about his days in theatre class and took a trip down memory lane showing home videos of him performing in his very first onstage musicals.
- Justin Timberlake introduced America to an XQ Super School, (Furr High School in Houston), with a short documentary, passionately explaining, “The kids you just met, along with more than 200,000 other students in the Houston School District, are picking themselves up and dusting themselves off after Hurricane Harvey. So, to the people of Texas rebuilding, and the people in Florida bracing for Hurricane Irma, we love you and we’re with you.”
SANTA MONICA, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Justin Timberlake speaks on stage during XQ Super School Live, presented by EIF, at Barker Hangar on September 8, 2017 in Santa California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for EIF)
With his son, Asahd, in his arms, DJ Khaled inspired action stating, “We can’t just talk at our youth. We’ve got to talk TO them. Get them involved. That’s why I bring my son, Asahd, with me to the studio, to meetings, to nights like tonight. He is soaking in all these experiences like an adorable sponge. The youth are the seeds of this country, and they must be watered with knowledge.”
SANTA MONICA, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: DJ Khaled (L) ans Asahd Tuck Khaled attend XQ Super School Live, presented by EIF, at Barker Hangar on September 8, 2017 in Santa California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for EIF)
Jesse Williams remarked, “One of the best jobs I ever had in my life was being a teacher. Watching a kid connect with passion is magic. Watching a kid overcome a challenge that would paralyze most adults? Humbling, inspiring.”
Tom Hanks and Viola Davis ended the night with an impassioned speech and call to action. Hanks stated, “In America, we know that one small step can become a walk on the moon. We know that one simple act of sitting on a bus can inspire an entire movement. We know that two hundred seventy-two words on a hill in Gettysburg can help heal a nation. We take problems and raise our hands to solve them. That’s what we do. That’s who we are. So tonight, let’s take that one small step to reshape our education system in this country. Because when we’re good, we’re great.” Davis closed by sharing a personal story, “The fact that I am standing here tonight is a testament to the power of education. Education saved my life. Education matters. And now is the time for all of us to take action—no matter how big or small that action might be.”
SANTA MONICA, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Actress and Executive Producer of EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live Viola Davis attends XQ Super School Live, presented by EIF, at Barker Hangar on September 8, 2017 in Santa California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for EIF)