EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live

XQ was created to help communities reshape high school to prepare every student for success in college, career, and life.

“EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live,” a roadblock telecast, was held on Sept. 8, 2017, with live musical, comedy, and documentary segments that brought to life the past, present and future of the American high school system. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon were among the executive producers of the star-studded one-hour special, which aired on all four broadcast networks and streamed live on Hulu and YouTube.

An array of stars from various fields appeared in the telecast, including J.J. Abrams, Mahershala Ali, Kelsea Ballerini, Cate Blanchett, Chance the Rapper, Common, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Kevin Frazier, Bill Hader, Tom Hanks, Salma Hayek Pinault, Sean Hayes, Samuel L. Jackson, Allison Janney, DJ Khaled, Gayle King, Norman Lear, Marshawn Lynch, Rami Malek, Lin Manuel-Miranda, David Muir, Randall Park, Al Roker, Christian Slater, Justin Timberlake, Chris Wallace, and Jesse Williams, among others.

The telecast provided insight into how educators, parents, school administrators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and students can effect change and offered tools to initiate the process within communities.

Musical performers included Kelly Clarkson, Audra Day, Hunter Hayes and Jordan Fisher. The show culminated in a moving finale 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, the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma, and U2.