Below are featured clips from the press conference announcing the national launch of the Ready by 21™ Challenge, aimed at helping state and local leaders change the odds for youth by changing the way they do business.

The six partners who in 2007 made formal commitments to work with the Forum to advance the Ready by 21 Challenge represent the education, government, non-profit, business and community philanthropy sectors. Below are featured clips from the partner panel discussion at the National Launch in Washington, DC.

"The Challenge" is the definitive guide to the key ideas and resources behind the Ready by 21 Challenge.

The Dilemma. Too few young people are entering adulthood ready and our collective efforts to make a difference are far too fragmented to have a big impact.

The Forum for Youth Investment issues Ready by 21™ Challenge to change the odds for youth by changing the way we do business.

Former Congressman Dick Gephardt and former Governor Tom Ridge join the Forum and national partners to move the Ready by 21 Challenge across the country – reaching communities in all 50 states over the next 5 years.

The six partners who in 2007 made formal commitments to work with the Forum to advance the Ready by 21 Challenge represent the education, government, non-profit, business and community philanthropy sectors. Each was chosen because they had pledged to do business differently and sought out the Forum to help in some way.

Twenty five years ago, the blue ribbon National Commission on Excellence in Education stunned the country by declaring:

After a decade of moving ideas to impact, the Forum for Youth Investment continues to forge innovative ideas, strategies and partnerships to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. Learn more about the Forum's beginnings and work in the 10th Anniversary Organizational Brochure.

The Ready by 21 Change Maker award is the highest honor presented by the Forum for Youth Investment. The award recognizes long-term achievement and impact in improving youth outcomes. Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to increasing the quality and quantity of youth investment and youth involvement in their community, state or at the national level.

Attached are answers to frequently asked questions about Ready by 21 and the Ready by 21 Challenge.

Attached are speaker biographies for the Ready by 21 Challenge National Launch Event on February 27, 2008.