The author, a former school superintendent, state administrator, school administrator and classroom teacher, asserts that the academic achievement gap does not have to persist. Fortune links his research on highperforming, high minority schools with other studies of traditional and charter schools cited in his book, that reach the same conclusion--African Aerican can achieve. Fortune was co-author of Leadership on Purpose, author of Bridging the Achievement Gap-1st Edition, and several books based on a chapter in these books called Parenting Practices: What Successful Parents Do to bridge the achievement gap.His work and advocacy as described in Chapter Five: Solutions in this Second Edition publication contain legislative languageto address this problem currently under consideration by the California State Legislature.Fortune received his BS degree and US Army Commission from NC A&T State University. Masters in Ed Admin from UC Berkeley, and Ph. D in Educational Administration from Stanford University. He resides in Granite Bay, California