podcast

https://youtu.be/lCZhLwZYThI 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 advocates for their communities. Our guests share how Next Level Leaders pushed them beyond comfort, helped them embrace their voices, and reminded them that leadership is not about a position — it is about [...]

https://youtu.be/qkxoum8YCX4   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 changed the trajectory of his life and fueled his passion for advocacy, leadership, and empowering families. In this episode, Duncan discusses: • How HBCUs transformed his identity and purpose • The realities of educational inequity in America • Why parent advocacy matters now [...]

https://youtu.be/PFumiw6_ZEo 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 school social worker in Birmingham City Schools to now leading Freedom Prep Academy in Alabama, her story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ The importance of community engagement in education✨ What [...]

https://youtu.be/VKg3vdrkCVk 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 opportunity, James shares how his personal journey shaped his passion for empowering families and strengthening communities. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why representation matters in the classroom The moment James realized education disparities were real How families can move [...]

https://youtu.be/Jd3n-aPUWIg 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 in accounting, education, and advocacy—and how her family’s experience with limited access to education shaped her lifelong commitment to helping others. Her passion for educational equity is rooted in real stories, real families, and real impact. This episode breaks down complex [...]

https://youtu.be/BspP6EoERZA 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 values shaped her passion for advocacy. She opens up about raising a son with ADHD, navigating IB programs, scholarships, and strategic planning—ultimately helping him graduate with minimal student debt from a private HBCU. This conversation is packed with real talk [...]