President Barack Obama, on July 26, 2012, signed the first-ever Executive Order 13621, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. The initiative, housed in the U.S. Department of Education, provides every child greater access to a complete and competitive education from birth until the child enters a career. This order is an extension of the White House effort to persuade colleges to cut costs so that every American can afford an education. The new initiative, along with the existing White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, supports educational outcomes for African Americans at every level. The new order also aims to result in a more effective educational continuum for all African-American students. Partnerships with public, private, and philanthropic organizations are encouraged. A President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans, composed of twenty-five members appointed by the White House, is mandated by the order.