Panels
Books Not Bars: The Illiteracy-To- Prison Pipeline
Statistics show that 2/3 of children not reading on grade level by the end of the 4th grade will end in jail or on welfare. During this panel we will analyze the “Illiteracy-to-Prison” Pipeline in an effort to raise awareness about the effects of illiteracy and its connection to the school to prison pipeline. Our experts will discuss how illiteracy can shift the trajectory of a child’s life.
Moderator: Dr. Latonya Sibley, NBCT and Professor Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
- Judge Charles "Chuck" Price II, Birmingham Municipal Court
- Nathaniel Rutledge, Former Police Chief of Bessemer, Al
- Dr. Carolyn Russell Walker, Ramsay High School Principal, Birmingham, Al
Do You See Me?: The Dangers of Banned Books
Although the banning of books is not new, it is becoming more common. Nearly 140 school districts in 32 states have issued book bands during the 2021-2022 school year. Data indicates that entire categories of books are being targeted. These categories often feature protagonists of color. During this panel our experts discuss the historical as well as current dangers of banning books.
Moderator: Yvette Manns, Author and Educational Consultant
- Dr. Ayanna Brown, Thought Spectrum
- Dr. Brynn Welch, University of Alabama, Professor
- Eddie Koen, Institute for Educational Leadership, President