Education is a Civil Right - “Sounding the Alarm With One Voice” 1

Emerging Educators AwardPresented to individuals recognizing their commitment to ensuring academic excellence, equity and access for African-American students.

Erick Witherspoon is Principal of the Lena M. Preston Elementary School in Rialto, California and an adjunct professor with the University of Red-lands, School of Education. With 16 years of professional educational ex-perience, his areas of expertise include administration, curriculum, instruc-

tion, and staff development. Witherspoon serves as President of the Rialto Alliance of Black School Educators (a NABSE affiliate) and has received numerous awards, including the San Bernardino County Making a Difference Award, California School Board Association’s Golden Bell Award, and the ACSA Elementary Principal of the Year. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Newman University, a Master’s Degree from Wichita State University, and plans to gradu-ate in May, 2011, with a doctorate in Educational Justice from the University of Redlands

Erick Witherspoon

Kim Davie is a Vice Principal at Grant Union High School in Sacramento. She has been an educator at the school for 15 years and in the Grant com-munity for 18 years. She proudly advocates for positive change for com-munity members of all ages. She uses her position at Grant as a platform

to encourage students and advocate for academic excellence. A fourth generation educator, Kim hopes her legacy will continue and that one of her 3 sons will also become an educator. A native of the Sacramento area, she received an Administrative Credential from the Urban Education Leadership Program at CSU Sacramento

Kim Davie

Sidney Cosby is the Program Coordinator for TRIO-Educational Talent Search, a college preparatory program for middle school, high school and re-entry students, at Los Angeles Southwest College. His early years were full of challenges, including poor school performance, o special education

courses, juvenile delinquency and subsequent incarceration. A life-changing experience while incarcerated, resulted in a change of focus, and propelled him to learn to read, write and com-prehend proficiently. He also made the decision to use his life experiences to motivate young people. After graduating from L.A. Southwest College, he transferred to CSU Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Later, he earned a Masters of Arts degree in Education at CSU Dominguez Hills. He is currently enrolled in the Educational Psychology doctorate program at a private college.

Sidney Cosby

CAAASA’s 1st Annual Gala - Thursday, February, 10, 2011 - Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel2

Stephanie Baker is the Chief Academic Officer/Assistant Superintendent of the Pomona Unified School District. She has served as an elementary and middle school English teacher and site administrator of a school that won both the National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School

Awards. At the district level, she has served as Director of Professional Development and Ad-ministrative Director of Categorical Programs and Professional Development. She serves on numerous committees with California State University, Pomona; the Pomona Alliance of Black School Educators, the City of Diamond Bar, as well as other community organizations. Stepha-nie received the Inland Valley News’ Excellence in Education Award.

Stephanie Baker

Supreme Leadership AwardPresented to an individual of National prominence with a measurable contribution to the advancement of public policy in education.

Earl C. Rickman III is President of the National School Boards Asso-ciation and Executive Director for the City of Mt. Clemens (Michigan) Housing Commission. Active in civic, social, political, and fraternal

organizations, he also serves as President of the Mt. Clemens Board of Education. In 1985, he became the youngest person ever elected, and has served for more than 25 years. Rickman has also served as Secretary as well as Vice President of the National Caucus of Black School Board Members. He was elected as the Caucus President in 1998, and began his term as an ex officio voting member of the National School Boards Association’s Board of Directors. He also served on the NSBA Board as a director from the Central Region 2003-2006; 2006-2008.

Earl Rickman III

Institutional Excellence AwardPresented to a non-profit organization or institution that has made an indelible contribution to public education (particularly in the minority community), social empowerment, and advancing and motivating achievement and to address the needs of underserved students and families in the public education system.

Roberts Family Development CenterRobla School District • Sierra Health Foundation

Education is a Civil Right - “Sounding the Alarm With One Voice” 3

Founders AwardPresented to an individual who has made outstanding civic, state and national contributions in the area of educational leadership

Kevin Johnson is the 55th Mayor of Sacramento. His vision is for Sac-ramento to become “a city that works for everyone.” Johnson’s dedication to public service began long before he started his tenure as mayor. He served as the CEO of St. HOPE, a non-profit community development

organization he founded in 1989 to revitalize inner-city communities through public education, civic leadership and the arts. Mayor Johnson has made significant strides in many areas such as public safety, education and others. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in Political Science, Johnson is a tireless advocate for Sacramento.

Kevin Johnson

Legislative AwardPresented to an individual for outstanding extraordinary leadership as a federal legislator providing exemplary advocacy and services for California residents.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee represents California’s 9th District. First elected in 1998, she represents a forceful and progressive voice in Con-gress, dedicated to social and economic justice, international peace, and civil and human rights. She has aggressively represented the needs of the

underserved by advocating for a wide range of social and economic concerns and bread and but-ter issues that affect their daily lives. The congresswoman has been a strong proponent of safe communities, making health care affordable and universal, just immigration policies and protec-tion of the right of women to make decisions about their reproductive health. She has served as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Corporate Excellence AwardPresented to a company/corporation who have made significant philanthropic contributions to public education over a sustained period of time.

CAAASA’s 1st Annual Gala - Thursday, February, 10, 2011 - Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel4

President ’s AwardPresented to an individual for exemplary legislative leadership with extraordinary emphasis on improving education for all students.

Senator Curren Price began his career with the California Legislature as an Assemblyman, elected in 2006. He was re-elected to represent the 51st District by an overwhelming margin in 2008. After serving one full term in the California State Assembly, he was elected in May 2009 to represent the 26th District in the State Senate. Senator Price is a strong advocate for

investing in our public schools, empowering parents and challenging all students to meet higher academic standards. As a champion for working families, Senator Price has fought to protect the rights of California workers. He has led efforts to support homecare workers, hotel workers, security guards and other workers that are vital to California’s economy, in order to organize for better wages and benefits. He is also Chair of the California African American Legislative Caucus. Prior to serving in the California Legislature, he was a 2-term member of the Inglewood City Council. Senator Price holds a B.A from Stanford University and Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University.

The Honorable Curren Price

Lifetime Achievement AwardPresented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to public education benefitting the education of African-American students in large urban communities, and impacting the lives of educators, community members throughout the State.

Dr. George King is the principal consultant to the Speaker’s Office for the California State Assembly. With extensive experience in management and consulting, he has also served as President and CEO of KAM Manage-ment and Consulting Services; “Connections Project” Consultant for the

California Department of Education; Special Assistant to the Speaker for the California State Legislature; Senior Program Associate in the Curriculum Resources Group for the Institute for Services to Education in Washington, D.C.; and several positions as professor and assistant pro-fessor at prestigious universities across the country. A published author, Dr. King has served as director for in-service training institutes to support education agencies and community groups.

Dr. George King

February 10, 2011

Dear Friends:

I am honored to serve as dinner chair for the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) 2011 Awards Gala. Throughout my career, I have always strived to give back to the communities that have supported healthy lifestyles and choices for children and families. CAAASA has provided support and participated in numerous legislative activities that will help shape the direction of public educators and specifically to individuals, institutions, organizations, and corporations whose goals are to improve the academic performance of African American children and youth.

Thank you for joining me by participating and financially supporting the Awards Gala. Your contribution to CAAASA helps to fund scholarships, emerging leadership, mentoring and other programs provided by this excellent organization. For more information about CAAASA, and the Awards Dinner contact Dwight Bonds, Executive Director, CEO CAAASA at (818) 321-7779 or visit the CAAASA website www.caaasa.org.

When we help our children and youth, everyone wins!

Carl Dickerson, President Dickerson Employee Benefits

Clarence B. Jones served as speechwriter and counsel to Martin Luther King, Jr. and is currently a scholar-in-residence and visiting professor at Stanford University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute. Selected by Time magazine in 1972 as one of “The 100 Future Leaders of America,” and twice recognized in Fortune magazine as “A Businessman of the Month,” Jones has received numerous state and national awards recognizing his significant contributions to American society. He lives in Palo Alto, CA.

Clarence B. Jones