Blackburn Institute

A Quiet Fellow Reflects on Blackburn Experience

June 15, 2007

Like many student fellows, I entered the Blackburn Institute with great ambitions of who I was going to be—a great prosecutor—and what I was going to do. Life takes its own twists and turns, however, and I find myself preparing myself not to go to law school but to seminary, brushing up not on legal jargon but on Spanish, as foreign missions are my calling.

I confess that this dramatic shift in interests left me wondering what I could contribute or even learn from Blackburn. I grew increasingly quieter as I realized that I did not have much to offer on the state’s transportation or economic development. I realized, however, that while the group’s focus is and always should be changing Alabama, lessons learned from Blackburn have a universal appeal. Networking, sustained dialogue, and a contagious passion for improving the lives of other people are all tools we can carry with us anywhere.

Whether we’re helping our hometown, home state, or new home in a new country, we all share Dr. Blackburn’s goal, which – edited to respect my future profession – is “change the darn state!”

While we are at it, why not change the darn planet too?

Abby Smith
2004-2005 Fellow

Abby graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology and Spanish and a minor in the Blount Undergraduate Initiative in May 2007. She is currently serving as an intern and starting a young adult ministry at Stonebridge Church of God in Findlay, OH. In the fall of 2007 she will attend the Anderson University School of Theology in Anderson, IN to pursue a Master of Arts in Intercultural Service.

Seven of Nine Capstone Heros are Blackburn Fellows

April 16, 2007

On Thursday, March 29, 2007, the University announced nine students as 2007 Capstone Heroes during the culminating banquet for the second annual Capstone Creed Week held in the Shelby Hall courtyard. Of these nine Capstone Heroes, seven are Blackburn fellows. Capstone Heroes is an annual award given to individuals who exemplify the ideals of the Capstone Creed which reads: “As a member of The University of Alabama community, I will pursue knowledge; act with fairness, honesty, and respect; foster civic responsibility; and strive for excellence.” The Capstone Creed was developed in 2000 by the Student Leader’s Council as a reflection of the core values that sustain the University community – it should be no surprise that three Blackburn Fellows helped initially draft the creed: Jonathan Adams (2001-2002), Joshua Burcham (2000-2001), and Bradley Davidson (2002-2003).

The Heroes were chosen by a selection committee after being formally nominated by University students, faculty or staff. Those fellows honored as 2007 Capstone Heroes are: Jonathan Adams (2001-2002), Bob Boylan (2005-2006), Trey Hayes (2004-2005), Kenny Liang (2007-2008), Stevona Rogers (2006-2007), Christian Smith (2004-2005), and Sarah Kate Sullivan (2004-2005). Additionally, fellow Adam Harbison (2004-2005) received one of the Capstone Heroes group honors on behalf the organization Colleges Against Cancer which he leads. In addition to the Capstone Heroes honorees, the winners of the Capstone Creed Essay and Art Contest winners were also announced, and fellow Kim Goins (2004-2005) was recognized as the second place recipient in the essay contest.

Blackburn Advisory Board Member Receives 2007 Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award from the NCCJ

March 29, 2007

Longtime Blackburn Institute advisory board member Sandral Hullett, M.D., MPH, was honored by the Alabama chapter of The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) as a recipient of one of their 2007 Brotherhood and Sisterhood Awards. The presentation took place at the NCCJ’s 30th Brotherhood and Sisterhood Awards Dinner which occurred at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex on March 8, 2007; Institute advisory board members John and Betsy Saxon, Don and Bobbi Siegal, as well as director Marc H. Shook were in attendance to support Dr. Hullett.

This award recognizes outstanding members of the Birmingham community whose lives parallel the principles of the NCCJ’s mission. The NCCJ is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America. It promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. The NCCJ continues to lead reconciliation efforts by providing inclusive interfaith, adult, and youth programs vital to the growth of a healthy and diverse society. Today, they have more than 55 regional offices in 32 states as well as the District of Columbia and have over 400 full and part-time staff members.

Dr. Hullett joins fellow Blackburn Institute advisory board members Dr. David Mathews (1979) and Bobbi Siegal (2005) as recipients of the NCCJ’s Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award. Additionally, advisory board members Betsy Saxon and Bobbi Siegal serve on the NCCJ’s Regional Board of Directors.

Dr. Hullett is the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director for the Jefferson Health System consisting of Cooper Green-Mercy Hospital and Jefferson Outpatient Care. Jefferson Health System’s primary focus is service to the underserved populations of Jefferson County. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Hullett earned her undergraduate degree from Alabama A&M, her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She has served as a member of the University of Alabama’s Board of Trustees and on the Board of Directors of the UAB Health System. Previous honors include:

  * Rural Practitioner of the Year Award in 1988 by the National Rural Health Association
  * The Clinical Recognition Award for Education and Training in 1993 by the National Association of Community Health Center
  * The Distinguished Leadership Award in 1996 by the Leadership of Alabama
  * Rural Leadership Image Award in 1998 by the National Black Churches Family Council
  * Public Health Hero Award for 2000 by the UAB School of Public Health
  * National Medical Fellowship, 2001
  * Lifetime Achievement of Women in Health Care, Rutgers University, 2002
  * Induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor by the Alabama Department Achieves and History in August of 2002
  * Local Legends Award by the American Medical Women’s Association in February of 2004
  * Award on Business Leadership 2005 by the Alabama Latin American Association

Two Fellows Accept Teach for America Positions Following May 2007 Graduation

March 15, 2007

Most people could describe their “dream trip” to any city in America. Few people, though, would actually live and teach in an unfamiliar city, dealing with the problems of underprivileged students. However, that is exactly how Blackburn fellows Rebecca Buchanan (2005-2006) and Stevona “Stevie” Rogers (2006-2007) are going to spend an entire year doing following their graduation from the University in May of 2007.

Like an increasing number of UA students, they will be working for Teach for America (TFA). Founded at Princeton in 1990, TFA has grown exponentially since then; it now serves 25 urban and rural regions and has approximately 4,400 corps members. The Blackburn Institute is certainly proud to send two of its finest newly minted Fellows into its ranks!

2005-2006 fellow Rebecca Buchanan is excited about her new job in San Jose, California. She says that the Blackburn Institute was “absolutely and unequivocally” an influence on her decision to work for Teach for America. Blackburn gave her the opportunity to network with other TFA teachers, but more importantly, it showed her the challenges faced by lower income communities.

Rebecca also names other influences on her decision. She is a first generation college student who grew up in a rural community and attended a small county high school. Luckily, she had supportive parents and teachers who pushed her to excel. “I credit any success I’ve ever had to them, but I realize that many of my peers never had the same opportunities,” Rebecca admits. Thus she had more incentive to “join a movement that is aspiring to ensure that every student has access to a quality education.”

Like Rebecca, 2006-2007 fellow Stevona “Stevie” Rogers has been inspired by Blackburn’s dedication to impoverished and disadvantaged communities. “I believe that when you’re any kind of teacher, it’s important to understand each student’s story, struggles, and triumphs. Blackburn has taught me this more than any other organization,” says Rogers.

At the moment, Stevie is looking forward to teaching in New Orleans, but she remembers the day she knew she wanted to become part of Teach for America. Stevie’s introduction to TFA was at a luncheon that Blackburn and TFA partnered to host; when she learned more about Teach for America, she immediately knew that she wanted to become a part of it.

Teach for America, in Stevie’s words, “truly makes a difference in the world through the elimination of education inequality.” It is exciting to know that, after their tenure as Teach for America corps members, that Stevie and Rebecca will return to Alabama to make as much of a difference in our own state. These two young ladies are a real inspiration to new fellows and old fellows alike.

Two Fellows Honored as 2007 McNair Scholars

February 28, 2007

Kim Goins (2004-2005 fellow) and Aldrich Callins (2005-2006 fellow) were honored by the University of Alabama as 2007 McNair Scholars on February 13, 2007. The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded initiative named for Dr. Ronald E. McNair, an astronaut who died in the Challenger space shuttle accident in 1986. The program encourages individuals who are first-generation college students or those typically under-represented in graduate schools to pursue graduate study. The program provides junior and senior undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in research experiences with financial support and faculty mentoring.

Kim, a political science and Spanish major from Mobile, will conduct her research before attending the University of Alabama School of Law on a full academic scholarship next August.

Aldrich, a finance major from Birmingham, still has some time left as an undergraduate, but will be using his grant to explore the relationships between wealth and race with an specific emphasis on real estate.

Previous Blackburn fellows who have been named McNair Scholars include: Victoria Barnes-Javine (2000-2001), Michelle Fuentes (2005-2006), the late Benita Newton (1999-2000), Adam Rankin (2004-2005), LaTasha Smith (2001-2002), Karen Torres (2002-2003), and Keisha Turner (2000-2001).