The Advocate's Chair

Leadership is more than a title — it is courage, growth, service, and the willingness to step into purpose. In this special episode of The Advocate’s Chair , hosted by Neonta Williams with Black Alabamians for Education , we sit down with alumni from the Next Level Leaders program to reflect on their leadership journeys, the moments that challenged them, and how the program helped them grow as adv...

In this powerful episode of The Advocate’s Chair , Neonta Williams sits down with nationally recognized education advocate, author, resilience trainer, and former BAEO Alabama State Director Duncan Kirkwood for a conversation that is honest, inspiring, and deeply transformational. From growing up in Buffalo, New York, to finding purpose at Alabama State University, Duncan shares how education chan...

In this powerful episode of The Advocate’s Chair , Neonta Williams sits down with Dr. Genesis Player for an inspiring and honest conversation about education, leadership, and community impact. Dr. Player shares her journey from Birmingham City Schools to becoming a leader in education, her deep roots in advocacy, and how her lived experiences shape the work she does today. From being the first sch...

What does it really take to move from awareness to action in education? In this episode of The Advocate’s Chair, Neonta Williams sits down with Birmingham native and community leader James Thornton—a former educator, Family & Community Organizer, and Success Coach—to unpack the real work behind advocacy in Alabama. From navigating multiple school systems to discovering gaps in access and oppor...

In this powerful episode of The Advocate’s Chair , host Neonta Williams sits down with Dr. Henry Davis — physical therapist, entrepreneur, and newly elected City Councilman in Calera, Alabama. Dr. Davis shares his journey from growing up in Mobile to navigating identity in a new community, attending Alabama State University, and later earning his Doctor of Physical Therapy at University of Alabama...

In this informative and heartfelt episode of The Advocate’s Chair, host Neonta Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Black Alabamians for Education, sits down with Tonya Jones of the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) for a deep dive into education choice, access, and opportunity for Alabama families. Tonya shares her personal journey—from growing up in Bruton, Alabama, to working i...

In this powerful episode of The Advocate’s Chair, we sit down with LaSharron Harris—educational advocate, counselor, and phenomenal mom whose intentional approach to education changed her son’s life and is now helping families across Alabama do the same. Mrs. Harris shares her personal journey from being an “average” student to earning advanced degrees, and how her upbringing, culture, and family...

🎙️ | Legislative Talk with Ontario TillmanIn our 10th and final episode of 2025, we close out the year with an impactful Legislative Talk Session featuring Ontario Tillman — just in time for Alabama’s upcoming legislative session beginning January 13.This conversation breaks down how everyday citizens can participate in the legislative process, especially when it comes to education policy that imp...

Get ready for a warm, joyful, and laughter-filled episode! For Episode 9, the entire Black Alabamians for Education team hit the road and recorded on location in Huntsville, Alabama for a special Holiday Edition of The Advocates Chair. This episode is all about connection, storytelling, celebration, and looking ahead with hope. Pull up a seat as the BA4E crew shares:✨ Their favorite holiday tradi...

In this inspiring episode of The Advocates Chair, host Neonta Williams sits down with Dr. Melissa Capehart, educator, mother, innovator, and founder of the proposed Extreme Minds Academy, a charter school coming to Birmingham in 2027.Together, they unpack the powerful intersection of personal experience, purpose, advocacy, and educational design. Dr. Capehart opens up about her K–12 journey throug...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Advocates Chair, host Neonta Williams sits down with Dr. Linda Warren, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist who delivered more than a thousand babies over her remarkable 30+ year career. Born in Nashville and raised on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. Warren shares an intimate, deeply moving look at her childhood, her family roo...

In this inspiring episode, Neonta Williams, host of The Advocates Chair and Executive Director of Black Alabamians for Education, sits down with State Representative Ontario Tillman (District 56) for an authentic, energetic conversation about leadership, advocacy, and education in Alabama. Rep. Tillman shares his powerful journey from being raised by a civic-minded grandmother in Bessemer to becom...

In Episode 4 of The Advocates Chair, host and BA4E Executive Director Neonta Williams takes listeners behind the scenes of her journey into educational advocacy. From her days as a student-athlete and Army veteran to launching Black Alabamians for Education, Neonta reveals the calling that led her to build a movement for parent empowerment and equitable school choice.💬 In this episode:The persona...

What if school looked completely different? In this episode of The Advocates Chair, host Neonta Williams sits down with Ryan Delk, CEO and co-founder of Primer, a K–8 micro school network that is opening new schools across Alabama. Primer’s motto is simple yet powerful: “Take kids seriously.”Ryan shares how Primer is reimagining education by:Empowering great teachers to teach without limitsMaking...

n this episode of The Advocates Chair, host Neonta Williams sits down with LaShundra D. Richmond, a lifelong educator from Memphis, TN with 18 years of experience in the field. LaShundra believes teaching is her calling — a way to impact lives and build strong leaders. Together, they dive deep into:What Next Level Leaders really meansWhy authentic leadership matters in educationHow growing leaders...

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Advocates Chair by Black Alabamians for Education! 🎙️In this powerful conversation, attorney and education advocate Ashlee Taylor, ESQ shares the heart behind Black Alabamians for Education, why advocacy is essential for Black students in Alabama, and how communities can rally for real change.📌 In this episode, we discuss: The mission and vision of Black Ala...