Our nation’s most esteemed civil rights leaders fought some of the most important battles for equal opportunity right here in our region – in places like Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham.  We honor their extraordinary sacrifices by reflecting on their vision, educating their children and grandchildren and ensuring that the dream of full civil rights and equality does not end with them. Unfortunately, by any academic measure, the predominantly African American students of the Black Belt are still tragically behind their more affluent peers in the state.

Today, we are working to address the civil rights issue of our generation, ensuring that poor children of color can get an excellent education.  When I visit schools across Alabama, I hear students as young as six years old talking about their desire to go to college and to achieve lifelong success, and I see them working enthusiastically toward those goals. To support them, we are bringing in talented leaders, forming a critical mass of dedicated, committed people who will fight at every level – as teachers, as school leaders, in politics, and in leadership roles all over Alabama – for equal opportunity in education.

As a former corps member, I know the kind of impact Teach For America can have on students in the near-term and on the broader movement to end educational inequity.  For today’s leaders who want to be on the cutting edge of education reform, there is no greater opportunity than right here in Alabama, right now.  I hope you’ll join us.