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Thursday, October 27, 2005
The National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), the nation’s premiere organization dedicated to improving the academic success of children of African descent, will hold its 33rd annual national convention in Detroit November 15-20.
The theme of the convention, which will be held at the Cobo Convention Center, is “Guiding Learners on the Road to Educational and Cultural Excellence.” The convention is a bit of a homecoming for NABSE, a 5,000-member organization that was founded in Detroit in 1970. NABSE has hundreds of members in the metro Detroit area. These members include NABSE’s President-Elect Deborah Hunter-Harvill, principal at McMichael Technological Academy in Detroit; and Emma Epps, superintendent of Ecorse Public Schools, who commences her term as NABSE president this fall.
“We are honored that NABSE has chosen to have its national convention here in the Motor City,” said William F. Coleman III, CEO of the Detroit Public Schools, who is serving as honorary chair of the conference. “As America’s largest predominantly black city, Detroit is emblematic of many of the successes of African-American scholarship as well as many of the areas in need of improvement. The workshops, the general sessions and the endless networking opportunities offered at this conference will go a long way in helping us with our mission of improving student achievement.”
“As president-elect of this venerable group, I am thrilled that thousands of my fellow educators will be converging here in Detroit,” said Hunter-Harvill. “I am looking forward to showing off the improvements we’ve made here, but I am also excited about learning from our visitors.”
The conference will offer a myriad of workshops and sessions aimed at teachers, administrators, parents and members of the community. There will be workshops on No Child Left Behind, health, HIV and AIDS, and professional development, among others.
Several prominent academics from around the country, including historian Asa Hilliard, noted educator Kay Tolliver, and psychologist Jawanza Kunjufy, will speak at the conference. Rev. Wendell Anthony, an author, pastor of Fellowship Chapel and president of the Detroit Branch NAACP, will be the keynote speaker. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education will also attend.
Students from throughout the metro area will showcase their musical talents at this conference. A total of ,000 in scholarships will be given out to deserving students.
Another highlight of the conference will be the presentation of a Living Legend Award to Judge Damon Keith of the sixth circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Keith is being honored for his role in desegregating public schools as a U.S. District Court judge in the late 1960’s. Dr. Juanita Clay Chambers, the District’s chief academic officer, will receive the Marcus Foster Distinguished Educator Award for her contributions to the systemic academic improvements at the Detroit Public Schools.
Pre-conference registration for non-members is 0, 0 for members, 5 for members who are retired, and 0 for student members. For more information about registration, check out NABSE’s website at www.nabse.org.
About the Detroit Public Schools
With more than 130,000 students, the Detroit Public Schools is one of the nation’s largest public school systems. Detroit Public Schools is a school district of choice and is open to children who live outside the city. The District offers a variety of highly competitive academic and career technical programs.
