Get Schooled thanks to Bill Gates and Viacom

Today makes the first day of school for NYC public school kids. The first day of school for me was usually marked with excitement. Everything was new: shoes, book bag, clothes and plans to make it happen. Unfortunately, not all kids have the same zest for learning. Viacom and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation wants to make sure that changes.The two have partnered for “Get Schooled,” a national program that connects, inspires and mobilizes people -- from policymakers and corporate leaders to communities and kids -- to find effective solutions to the problems facing our education system. The goal is to engage students, families and community members in efforts to improve America's public education system and encourage more young people to complete their education.Jesse McCartney and Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Monica will perform in a live concert as part of the kick-off. Today’s block party and concert will include more than 400 Los Angeles-area public school students, parents, teachers and school administrators as well as various special guests and celebrities.Stephen Colbert will serve as the event emcee andthere will also be presentations by Gates, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller, author and political columnist Arianna Huffington, New York City Department of Education Chancellor Joel Klein and others.The event will also include the world premiere of Get Schooled: You Have the Right, a special documentary which highlights the education stories of three successful professionals who work alongside President Barack Obama, along with Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James. The documentary special will be aired in the first programming "roadblock" of its kind across all Viacom networks, including BET, MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Spike TV, TV Land and Nickelodeon.Super dope, right?Find out more here.