Blackburn Institute

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.