AL-ABSE Newsletter

It warms my heart to pen this missive in our inaugural AL-ABSE Newsletter. In my first few drafts, I wanted to convey my experience and love for NABSE. I also wanted to write a chronicle of how AL-ABSE was started. After careful reflection, I realized that it was not about an individual nor how we got here. The most important message I could articulate was our mission for Black scholars and educators.

There is strength in numbers and power in support. AL-ABSE promises to promote research, best practices, and advocacy for the underserved from this point forward. As your Executive Director, I pledge to continue to lead this organization through strategic partnerships, publications, thought sessions, and conferences as vehicles of change for our schools of color.

Regardless of the current state of America, I am encouraged by this group of courageous educators who have acknowledged and answered the call to serve the children of Alabama.

Sincerely,

Dr. Fred Primm

AL-ABSE Executive Director

Dr. Jacqueline A. Brooks

AL-ABSE President

After months of virtual planning through phone calls, FaceTime, Zoom, WebEx, and Google Meet, the executive committee decided to move forward with its annual conference by pivoting to digital technology to present AL-ABSE’s first virtual conference. It was also the AL-ABSE’s first conference for which registration was extended to the general public. Thus, the AL-ABSE executive committee is delighted to share highlights from our 2020 conference and thankful that despite pandemic conditions raging in Alabama, the nation, and the world, nearly 100 educators joined us between October 28 and October 30, 2020, to impact the lives of Black educators and children in Alabama. The conference opened on October 28, 2020, and was themed Preparing Children of Color for a Changing World. The conference theme was critical as episodes of change, progressive and regressive, were evident worldwide and here in Alabama. Dr. Demica Sanders, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) Professional Learning Director and AL-ABSE Treasurer along with Dr. Pamela Fossett, Alabama Education Association (AEA) Education Policy and Professional Practice Manager and AL-ABSE Corresponding Secretary, managed and led all registration, attendance, exhibitor, and professional learning protocols for the conference.

Day One of the conference commenced with Dr. Jacqueline A. Brooks, AL-ABSE President, presenting Dr. Fred Primm, AL-ABSE Executive Director, to the attendees. Dr. Primm welcomed all attendees and navigated them through the history of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) and AL-ABSE. The highlight of Dr. Primm’s welcome underscored the premise for AL-ABSE’s establishment as a NABSE affiliate:

While there are several associations and entities in Alabama that represent educators' voices and their desire to improve education for the children of Alabama, there is no statewide association or agency that is singularly and solely focused on Black educators and the improvement of education for Black children. AL-ABSE was founded to fill this need and unapologetically focuses on meeting the needs of Black educators and Black children throughout Alabama and ensuring that the Black educators are intentionally included in the decisions affecting Black children.

The initial conference speaker, Dr. Fadhilika Atiba-Weza, NABSE Executive Director. Dr. Atiba-Weza postulated context for the need for AL-ABSE and NABSE to subsist and be vigilant in their missions by sharing a historical lens of Black education that stretched from the shores of Africa to slaves landing in the Americas through today. He accentuated that, unlike what is often depicted by Blacks and education, the desire and reverence for learning in Black villages and communities have also been present but have so often been hindered through disenfranchisement tactics by others to include prohibiting slaves to read.

The mid-morning session for Day One was facilitated by Dr. Brooks and Dr. Primm, who led attendees through an introspection of AL-ABSE's Legislative Platform 2020. Conference attendees interacted through the conference’s virtual platform chat area to share input into the legislative agenda. The legislative agenda can be found at https://www.al-abse.org/.

The pre-lunch session for Day One focused on the Impact of COVID-19 on the African American Community. The executive board embraced this as a fitting topic because many conference attendees indicated that they were dealing with various COVID-related situations in their districts. The panelists were experts in the medical field and included Dr. Mike Vivian, MD, UAB Oncologist; Dr. Paul Harvey, MD, Med-South Associates; Dr. Norma Mobley, MD, Mobile Pediatric Clinic; and Nurse Carolyn Gosa, Lead Nurse, Sumter County Schools. Dr. Primm facilitated the session, and Dr. Marcus Vandiver, Administrator, Alabama Department of Education, facilitated the chat and discussion.

The focus on COVID-19 continued after lunch with the owners of UVC CDE Sanitation Services, who highlighted the need to reduce the number of chemicals as educators work to clean buildings and keep school environments COVID free. Several research studies were presented as well as the latest technology. Mr. Marco Battle and Mr. Tony Grimes, the owners of UVC CDE, were the presenters. Attorney Dana Hill, School Board Attorney, Hill, Hill, Carter Law Firm presented the closing session of Day One. Attorney Hill trekked attendees through Lessons Learned in Public Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dr. Pamela Fossett facilitated the session through an interactive chat. Day One culminated with the soulful sounds of classic rhythm and blues music during virtual happy hour from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Day Two of the Conference emerged with an interesting start as Hurricane Zeta ripped through Alabama the night before, and several attendees experienced power outages and connectivity issues. However, with perseverance and teamwork, Day Two started on time and was recorded for later sharing. Dr. Primm opened with an introduction of Dr. Michael McFarland, NABSE President and Superintendent, Crowley Independent School District. Dr. McFarland chronicled the founding of NABSE and its relevance then and now. Dr. McFarland emphasized Alabama’s unique connection to NABSE as three Alabama educators served as national presidents for NABSE.

The keynote speaker for Day Two was Dr. Bill Daggett who focused on Re-envisioning Learning: Addressing the Critical Needs of Our Children. Dr. Daggett took attendees on a deep dive of whether or not educators should be working to get back to "normal" when the pandemic passes or how we can use this event to re-envision learning. His keynote was immersed in the presentation of innovative technologies that were astounding.

The pre-lunch session for Day Two was led by Dr. Fanchon Muhammad, Midfield City Schools District Administrator. Dr. Fanchon focused on the V.U.C.A model, Leading During the Pandemic: What the V.U.C.A? She shared how to move from Volatility to Vison; from Uncertainty to Understanding, from Complexity to Clarity, and from Ambiguity to Adaptability and Agility.

The first afternoon session for Day Two was a lively discussion with the Black Elected Officials of Alabama Panel featuring Dr. Yvette Richardson, President Pro Tem, Alabama State School Board of Education; Lashunda Scales, Jefferson County Commissioner; and Representative Anthony Daniels, Alabama House Minority Leader, Alabama Legislature. Dr. Brooks facilitated the discussion and provided a series of probing questions on various issues impacting Black educators and Black children.

The second round of sessions for Day Two consisted of two concurrent breakout sessions. Dr. LaTonya Barnes Sibley, NBCT and AL-ABSE Recording Secretary, presented National Board Certification: Impacting Students and Educators of Color. Dr. Chris Blair, Superintendent, Bullock County Schools and Dr. Regina Thompson, Superintendent, Midfield City Schools, presented The Haves and Have Nots of Public Education. Day Two culminated with the the AL-ABSE 2020 Awards Program and soulful sounds of classic rhythm and blues music during virtual happy hour.

Day Three began with AL-ABSE’s 2020 General Assembly being called to order. After the general assembly, attendees were able to participate in commission meetings based on their interests. After the commission meetings, attendees were presented with information from the conference’s primary sponsor, Educational Materials Specialists, and a featured book.

The final conference session featured keynote principal, Dr. Baruti Kafele’s presentation, Just Level the Playing Field and Watch me Excel: A Conversation on Race, Equity, Diversity, Cultural Competence, and Social Justice. Dr. Kafele presented and led a thought-provoking conversation focused on attendees’ “why” for choosing education and beseeching them to understand the value and importance “why" holds as educators work to impact children's lives.

The overall feedback for the conference was a rating of excellent, and seemingly many more attendees plan to participate in the 4th Annual Alabama Alliance of Black School Educators (AL-ABSE) Conference in 2021.We certainly hope the pandemic has passed and you are able to join us October 27-29, 2021, in Birmingham, Alabama. If not, our virtual capabilities are just a touch away.

A highlight of this year's conference was the AL-ABSE Awards Ceremony. Dr. Tonya Perry, UAB Professor and the first Black Alabama Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist, was the keynote speaker for the AL-ABSE Awards ceremony. Dr. Perry's speech highlighted: For a Time Such as This. AL-ABSE also honored Dr. Perry by naming one of the organization's awards after her - The Dr. Tonya Perry Teacher of the Year Award. Kudos to all of this year's award recipients!

Since the beginning of formal education, there have been organized groups of teachers and leaders who gathered with one another. Whether for support or sharing best practices, these groups have become more vital than ever. This is especially true for Black school educators.

With that in mind, the time is now for Black school educators to come together and ensure that our schools are provided equity and receive the support and resources necessary for success. To be clear, this is about ALL children succeeding because when Black children excel, all children will benefit. This is why it the Alabama Alliance of Black School Educators (AL-ABSE) is so important for such a time as this.

Join us now. Here’s why. First and foremost, as previously stated, the alliance is focused on supporting the well-being of all children. By supporting our Black school educators, our schools will be better equipped to serve children and communities throughout our state.

Secondly, educational equity continues to be a challenge for black, brown, poor, and children with special needs. AL-ABSE is focused on educational equity. With an impressive executive board led by President Dr. Jacqueline Brooks and Executive Director Dr. Fred Primm, AL-ABSE is poised to ensure that equity is an emphasis and that the needs of our children and educators are met by focusing on strategic partnerships.

Further, AL-ABSE has established a robust platform for moving us forward that includes a comprehensive legislative agenda, public awareness, and a commitment from education leaders from across the state and beyond. The energy was palpable at the AL-ABSE Annual State Conference which featured Dr. Tonya Perry, Dr. Bill Daggett, and an empowering closing session with Principal Baruti Kafele.

“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” If you believe this Nelson Mandela quote, then joining AL-ABSE is right for you. Anyone in the professional field of education is invited to join. Whether you are a teacher, school or district administrator, school board member, or higher education professional, go to www.al-abse.org for membership information.

This year has brought us a deadly pandemic, a call for racial justice, and a presidential election like no other. As we prepare for 2021, let’s do so together. Join the Alabama Alliance of Black School Educators because we are stronger together. The time is now.

Dr. Avis Williams, Selma City Schools Superintendent

Dr. Marcus Vandiver, ALSDE Administrator

AL-ABSE Membership Chairs

Email: fredprimm@al-abse.org
Website: www.al-abse.org
Location: P.O. Box 1856 Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (251) 583-7941
Facebook: facebook.com/AlabamaAbse
Twitter: @ALABSE19