A locally produced story about overcoming the challenges that teens face with high school graduation will be airing on American Graduate Day.

American Graduate Day returns for its third year on September 27, 2014 11am - 6pm ET. This live national, multi-platform broadcast event focuses on the individuals and organizations working in communities across the country to keep students on the path to graduation.

As Detroit teen Fernando Parraz, an accomplished rapper and budding filmmaker, aims to become the first in his family to earn a high school diploma — his ticket out of the struggles of inner-city poverty and violence — he finds support from an unlikely figure: his father, a former gangster who has suffered the costs of his own mistakes.

American Graduate Day 2013 was Saturday, September 28. This event marked a long-term commitment to helping communities tackle the nation's dropout crisis and preparing students for success with a high school diploma.

Dan Varner, Chief Executive Officer of Excellent Schools Detroit, speaks to the action their organization is taking to ensure each student has access to an excellent school by 2020.

Ken Coleman, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, discusses the big impact just a small amount of time has on youth.

DPTV's President and CEO, Rich Homberg, discusses the station's commitment to education and the young people of Michigan.

Public media launched the first-ever AMERICAN GRADUATE DAY on September 22, 2012. This multi-platform event featured live local and national programming, partners, celebrities and athletes focused on improving high school graduation rates in America.

Public media is launching the first-ever AMERICAN GRADUATE DAY on September 22, 2012 from 1-8pm EST. This multi-platform event will feature live local and national programming, partners, celebrities and athletes focused on improving high school graduation rates in America.