Blackburn Institute

Row 1: Mary Anne Taylor, Karen Torres, Sarah Reppucci, Samarria Munnerlyn, Abigail Morrow, Dr. Cheree Causey

Row 2: Hallie Bradley, Holly Caraway, Claire Chisolm, Lorraine Erhunmwunsee, Kelly Pinckard

Row 3: Zac Riddle, Josh Payne, Andy Todd, Will Hester, Prince Cleveland

Row 4: William Norvell, Bradley Davidson, Antonio Saunders, Matt Clinton

Row 5: Chris Sanders, John Beasley

Not Pictured: Leah Finley, Ashley Ragsdale

John Beasley, Jr. John is currently employed with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Birmingham, AL as an auditor and CPA. He graduated from UA in 2004 with a BS in Business and Commerce Administration with a major in Accounting; he received his Master's Degree in Accountancy from George Washington University in 2006.

Hallie Bradley Graduated in 2004 with a degree in Advertising. Hallie is employed with Alabama Power and is currently in their leadership development program through the external affairs department. While at UA, Hallie served as the Blackburn Institute's Vice Chair for 2003-2004.

Holly Caraway Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor through the Blount Undergraduate Initiative. After graduation, she served as an Amercorps*VISTA and Community Outreach Coordinator at YouthServe, Inc., in Birmingham. Holly is currently pursuing her J.D. at the University of Alabama School of Law.

Claire Chisolm Graduated from UA in May 2004 with a BS in Chemistry. She is currently at the University of Michigan pursuing a PhD in Analytical Chemistry. From Hoover, Alabama. Activities: Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity; American Institute of Chemists Award; Randall Undergraduate Research Award; Jack Warner Tier I Scholar; National Merit Scholar

Prince Cleveland Prince currently works for the Democratic fundraising firm of Cunningham, Harris, Osborne and Associates as a finance director. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor's in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration.His activities as a student include SGA Attorney General, Vice President of the Student Leaders Council, Vice President of the Graduate Student Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Matthew Clinton Employed at the University of Alabama in Special Events.

Bradley Davidson Bradley is one of the founders and the Executive Director of Empower Alabama. A native of Selma, he is very interested in issues that affect the Black Belt, especially education, workforce development, and tax policy. Since 2005, Bradley has spent his time studying grassroots organizing models around the United States, in order to bring the best of what's out there to his home state. Bradely is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Vanderbilt University, a proud Fellow of the Blackburn Institute, and a former White House Policy Intern. In his spare time, he enjoys working with other volunteers to strengthen YMCA camping programs in Dallas County.

Lorraine Erhunmwunsee Upon graduating from the University in 2003 with a degree in business management, Lorraine moved to Dallas, Texas where she remains and works as a Human Resources Administrator with Trans Tech Merchant Group.

Leah Finley A senior from Birmingham majoring in Quantitative Finance. Activities: Vice President of Finance for Alpha Chi Omega; Vice President of Fraternal Relations for Alpha Chi Omega; Cardinal Key Fundraising Committee Co-Chair; Top 5% of Junior Class; Order of Omega Outstanding Sophomore; Volunteer Counselor for Muscular Dystrophy Camp; Volunteer tutor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Will Hester Will Hester received his B.A. in Spanish in 2004. He now teaches Spanish and choral music at the Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas and is pursuing a Master of Music degree in choral conducting at the University of Houston.

Abigail Morrow Abigail is an attorney with Taylor Ritter, P.C. in Birmingham. She has been an active volunteer for Junior League of Birmingham and the Alabama Radio Reading Services. Abigail is also a member of the American Bar Association (member 2004 - present; Young Lawyers Section member 2004-present), Alabama Bar Association (member 2004 - present), Birmingham Bar Association (member 2004 - present; Public Relations Committee, 2006-present; Young Lawyers Section 2004 - present; Women's section 2004 - present).

Samarria Munnerlyn Received a B.A. in Spanish from UA in 2000 and a J.D. from UA's School of Law in 2003. She is presently employed with Judge Charles Price, the Presiding Circuit Court Judge of Montgomery County as his law clerk. Samarria has accepted a position in the Tuskegee office of the national law firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith. While at UA, she served as a member of the SLC, the Diversity Oversight Committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and as a charter member of the National Council of Negro Women. Samarria attended law school on a full fellowship, working as a Director in Both Harris and Tutwiler Halls with the University Residential Life Department. She was also involved in the Law and Psychology Review and the Environmental Moor Court Team. Samarria clerked during her summers in law school for the law firms of Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett as well as Beasley, Allen, Methvin, Portis & Miles.

William Norvell William graduated with a degree in Banking and Financial Services and a CBHP minor in 2005. Awarded the 2005 Student Alumni Award as well as being named to the USA Today Academic All-American Team as an Honorable Mention. He lives in Charlotte, NC, and is currently employed by Wachovia Securities as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Energy & Power Corporate Finance Group.

Joshua Payne Josh is now an associate with the Birmingham law firm of Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC. He is a 2008 graduate of the Washington and Lee University School of Law. While at W&L, he served as student body president of the university during his third year, was involved in the Moot Court program, and was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. From 2004 to 2005, he served as an Americorps*Vista volunteer with Impact: An Alabama Student Service Initiative, a statewide nonprofit organization designed to involve college students in substantive service/learning programs. Josh is also a 2004 cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration with a concentration in Economics. While at the University, he served as vice president of Capstone Men and Women and the Anderson Society. He was also a member of Mortar Board, Blue Key, Omicron Delta Kappa, The Other Club, and Alpha Tau Omega.

Kelly Pinckard Graduated with a degree in Finance in 2003. And finished law school of the University of Texas in May 2005. Kelly has accepted a job from the Bar in Dallas and will start it in fall, 2006.

Ashley Ragsdale Graduated from The University of Alabama in 2003 with a B.S. in Biology and received her J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law in May 2006. She is currently an attorney for Leitner, Williams, Dooley and Napolitan, PLLC in Nashville, Tennessee. Her practice is primarily civil defense litigation.

Zac Riddle Graduated in August 2006 with a Masters of Accountancy and in August 2005 with a B.S. in C&BA. Zac lives in Birmingham with his wife, Elizabeth, a speech-pathologist. He is currently employed with KPMG, as an auditor. While at UA, his activities and honors included 2004-05 Chair of the Blackburn Institute; President of the Student Leaders Council; Recipient of the Sullivan and Bloom Awards; Computer-Based Honors Program; and President of Interfaith Council.

Chris Sanders A second-year law student at the University of Alabama, where he is a junior editor of the Alabama Law Review. He graduated from UA in 2004 with a B.A. in journalism and political science. As an undergraduate, he served as editor of the campus newspaper, The Crimson White, and interned at The Birmingham News.

Antonio Saunders A senior from Birmingham majoring in Broadcasting. Activities: Vice President of University Programs; Intern for Congressman Artur Davis; Black Heritage Month Committee; Fundraising Chairman for Freshman Forum; Recipient of "I Dare You" Leadership Award; Youth Congressional Leadership Award; Served over 200 hours of Community service in Tuscaloosa.

Mary Anne Taylor Received a B.A. in Communication Studies and Political Science, graduating with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. Mary Anne is attending the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, with a fellowship for 2 years. While at UA, she served as Chairperson for the Blackburn Institute and was a member of XXXI. She is from Red Level, Alabama.

Sarah Reppucci Thomas Graduated in May of 2005 with a B.S. in Multiple Abilities Education. She currently lives in Birmingham with her husband, Michael, a software engineer for Automotive Systems, Inc. She is teaching third grade at Creek View Elementary School in the Shelby Country School System. While on campus, Sarah was involved in the following activities: Student teacher for the 4th grade at Flatwoods Elementary; Director for Alabama Action, a service learning experience for incoming freshman; Group Mentor at Matthews Elementary (1st grade); The XXXI, Student Alabama Education Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key, and Mortar Board Honor Society.

Andrew Christopher Todd Andrew received his Master's degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2005. After reporting jobs in the UK, Belgium, Malaysia, and Ukraine, he is now a steel market analyst for the CRU Group in London.

Karen Torres Karen is a graduate student from Arab, Alabama with a degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Her activities include Materials Advantage, The Minerals, Metals,& Materials Society, Microscopy & Microanalysis Society, Materials Research Society, Microbeam Society of America; received 2005-2006 Graduate Fellowship, 2007-2008 National Alumni Association Fellowship, 2008-2009 McNair Graduate Fellowship.