Emmy-nominated actress, director, entrepreneur, and cultural icon Keshia Knight Pulliam is making her first visit to Savannah this Wednesday — but not for a role on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne or any film set. This time, the Cosby Show star will take center stage as the keynote speaker for the 2024 National Family Engagement Summit, an event focused on family and community collaboration to support educators, parents, and family-facing professionals.
As a passionate youth education advocate and the proud mother of two, Pulliam brings personal experience to the table. She believes deeply in the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and stresses the importance of choosing the right people to surround your child. “Who you welcome into your village and trust is critical to your child’s growth and development,” she says.
Pulliam’s dedication to children’s education is rooted in her own journey. After earning a sociology degree from Spelman College, she was inspired to give back to the community. She recognized that childhood, particularly around age 11, is a pivotal time when children begin to form their identities and value systems. “At this age, children start to analyze how the world sees them and where they fit in,” she notes. Her goal is to engage with young people at this critical stage, helping them build positive habits before negative ones can take root.
At the summit, Pulliam will share her insights and inspire attendees to work together in fostering environments where children can thrive. As a star on and off the screen, she is using her platform to shine a light on the importance of family and education in shaping the future of our youth.
