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First Lady Michelle Obama and her Reach Higher educational initiative has been aiming efforts at promoting the value of education beyond high school via a community college, four-year college, or professional training program. The First Lady will be teaming up with Washington, D.C. rapper Wale, who will be supporting the initiative at an event this Thursday at the White House.

A press release went out this morning regarding the new team-up between Mrs. Obama and Wale and Reach Higher, which is all about providing pathways to higher education for today’s youth.

The First Lady will be featured on a panel at the Beat The Odds summit with Education Secretary Arne Duncan  and Brown University senior student Manuel Contreras. The panel will be moderated by E! News co-host Terrence Jenkins.

More from the White House communications team:

As part of her Reach Higher initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome more than 130 college-bound students from across the country to participate in the 2015 Beating the Odds Summit. These students are being sponsored by 70 non-profit organizations, and represent a mix of urban, rural, foster, homeless, special needs, and under-represented youth who have overcome substantial obstacles to persist through high school and make it to college. This event will focus on sharing tools and strategies students can use to successfully transition to college and the resources they will need to complete the next level of their education.

This day-long event will include a panel moderated by E! News co-host Terrence Jenkins, which will feature First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, musical artist Wale, and Manuel Contreras, a rising senior at Brown University and co-founder of 1vyG. Wale will also perform a concert for the students.

In a separate press statement, Wale shared his excitement in being part of the Beating The Odds summit:

“I’m beyond honored & grateful to be involved in the First Lady’s “Reach Higher” initiative & to have the opportunity to sit down with her, as well as perform for the kids of D.C. I believe that the youth are the first step in creating a better country, so to be involved in a program that aims to enrich their lives is truly the greatest reward,” says Wale. “Having grown up in Washington, D.C., being invited to the White House by the First Lady is a dream come true. Thank you to Mrs. Obama & her entire staff for this opportunity.”

Learn more about Reach Higher here.

Photo: Instagram