from VCCA Journal, Volume 9, Number 2, Summer 1995, 24-29
© Copyright 1995 VCCA Journal
Alliance for Excellence was created to help increase access to educational opportunities for the black communities of southcentral Virginia. Alliance for Excellence is a partnership of churches and colleges, built on the premise that the historic leadership and influence of the Black Church continues to be an effective and significant part of life in our communities and that community colleges are the most accessible and affordable avenues for pursuing higher education. Ferrum College has joined the alliance to emphasize transfer opportunities to four-year institutions. Alliance for Excellence was organized as part of a broad effort to open new doors and encourage participation in community college education. Funding comes from participating colleges and churches. The following colleges are full participants in this program.
The ultimate goal is to raise the participation rate of African Americans in higher education to the same proportionate level as that of the majority population in this area. Alliance for Excellence sponsors motivational, tutorial, and recognition programs designed to encourage success in school, college, and career in a variety of settings to promote greater opportunities for African Americans through higher education. The programs described in this article are the most successful. While the list is not exhaustive, it represents of the kind of efforts the Alliance for Excellence sponsors through four community colleges and Ferrum College.
History
Alliance for Excellence was created in 1986. Since 1991, Alliance for Excellence has developed varied programs designed to promote specific objectives, including the programs which ostensibly help bridge the statistical gaps for minorities in areas of enrollment, retention, and graduation. Advancement in education means higher enrollment and retention rates for African American students and greater opportunities for transfer or employment following educational experiences at a local community college. The board also believes that advancement for African American youth, particularly young males, would also require new means of support and avenues of recognition for leadership and academic achievement.
By 1993, many of the programs sponsored by Alliance for Excellence had proven to be very successful and relevant to specific educational needs in the African American community. However, the organization itself is still in the early stages of development. In November 1993, the board of directors of Alliance for Excellence sought assistance from two key consultants who would help lay the foundation for further organizational development. Jennifer Henderson of the Center for Community Change has provided valuable professional advice and assistance to the board as it considers strengthening the fund-raising and organizational base of the program around its essential mission, a community-based partnership for advancement. In addition, Oscar Williams of the Leadership Development Institute at Virginia Tech has served as a consultant to the board on issues of organizational development. The Alliance's program goals include the following:
The Demographic Context
A clear understanding of the local population and its characteristics is necessary for the development of clear goals and objectives. In addition to the data given below, the board of directors discovered that the enrollment rate of African American students in this region in 1986, the year of the program's inception, was roughly half that of the majority white population. This information reflected similar statistics from around the nation. By 1991, however, enrollment of African Americans at the four participating community colleges increased by 57%, compared to a national increase of only 4%. Enrollment of African Americans at two community colleges, Danville and Patrick Henry, more than doubled during this period. While statistics reflect an increase in participation in higher education in the area by African American students, the gap is still pronounced. When one considers a variety of demographic information on education and income, the need for new and innovative educational partnerships in the African American community is still apparent. Alliance for Excellence believes that our community colleges, along with the influential leadership of black churches, can make a significant difference in the lives of many African Americans and greatly enhance the potential for personal achievement and economic success.
The demographic information in Tables 1 and 2 on the following page is given for the total population of communities in the region where Alliance for Excellence programs have been organized. Based on figures from the 1990 census, we have listed several target localities where much of the African American population is concentrated. Income and employment figures are given for the seven target communities to better illustrate the social and economic characteristics present in the African American community.
Comparative Unemployment Rates
Economists typically use different measures of employment and underemployment to describe the relative prosperity of a region or state. If indeed employment is a measure of economic vitality, there is still a significant disparity between African Americans and the majority white population in southcentral Virginia (see statistics in Table 3 from the Virginia Employment Commission, March 1994). Education, perhaps more than any other resource, will help prepare young people for more and more prosperous careers and thereby greater economic potential in our society. As late as 1988, the economic earning power of young African American males was determined to be 50% less than that of their white counterparts (Seventh Annual Minority Report of the American Council on Education).
Racial Composition
Alliance for Excellence programs focus on educational opportunities for the African American community in the areas listed in Table 4. Population data in the table reflect the entire area while these cities and counties contain the communities which are the primary focus of the program. Statistics are based on results of the 1990 census.
Table 1
Area Population
(1990 Census)
Percent
White Black Black
Target Communities 264,648 105,850 28.4%
Total Population 566,498 138,493 19.5%
Table 2
Area Income Data
(VEC, March 1994)
Percent
White Black White
Median Household 27,326 19,129 70%
Per Capita 13,366 8,236 61%
Table 3
Unemployment Figures for Selected Localities
(VEC, March 1994)
% White Population % Black
Danville 4.3 16.3
Martinsville 4.4 7.6
Lynchburg 4.2 11.3
Roanoke 4.1 10.2
Halifax County 3.6 10.5
Henry County 3.3 4.9
Pittsylvania County 3.1 8.8
Average 3.8 10.0
Table 4
Area Population by Race
(1990 Census)
White Black Other % Black
Danville 33,203 19,516 265 36.8
Martinsville 10,076 5,971 107 37.0
Lynchburg 47,898 17,518 536 26.6
Roanoke 71,982 23,286 962 24.2
Halifax County 17,461 11,439 87 39.5
Henry County 43,440 13,193 190 23.2
Pittsylvania County 40,588 14,927 88 26.8
Total population 264,648 105,850 2,235 28.4
Organization and Programs
The board of directors is made up of 20 individuals representing the participating colleges and local communities. In addition, each community college service region has an Alliance for Excellence advisory board with representatives from that college along with local educators, church, and civic leaders. Of the 20 board members, 18 are African American. Of the 54 local advisory committee members, 52 are African American. This close connection with the community is vital to the mission and goals of the organization.
Because of the Alliance's strong grassroots base, programs better reflect the needs and dreams of local citizens. The key to the success is, of course, developing programs which produce tangible results and which will help achieve the long-range goals of the organization. The board of directors, therefore, has asked the project coordinators to plan programs which specifically address one of the stated objectives, such as bridging the enrollment gap or enhancing life on campus for African American students. The following are examples of programs recently sponsored by Alliance for Excellence.
Motivational Seminar, Halifax Senior High School: Danville, March 5, 1994
This seminar was one in a series offered in different parts of the community. It objectives were to help increase college enrollment, retention, and transfer rates and to encourage new educational opportunities in the African American community. The program, co-sponsored by the Halifax County Public Schools, was funded by the Alliance for Excellence. The program was planned by the local Halifax County and Danville community Alliance for Excellence committees. The target audience included students in grades K-12, young adults, and parents of children in these age groups. The guest speaker was Corey Torain, Danville Community College student and youth workshop leader. Three hundred and twenty five people attended. The contact is Sandy Saunders, phone (804) 797-3553.
Southside Conference on the African American Male: Danville, March 20, 1993
This conference was designed in response to a growing concern about social and economic obstacles facing young black males in our society. The goal of the conference was to address specific economic and social issues affecting African American males in a forum which would include a broad cross-section of youth from the area. Financial support came from community and educational organizations, area corporations, 22 African American churches, and approximately 30 other individuals and civic groups. The target audience was youth in grades K-12, young adults, and parents of youth in these age groups.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr., was the keynote speaker. Workshops covered such topics as owning your own business, what dropping-out means, male/female relationships, the value of a college education, how to get and keep a job, parenting skills, and financial aid. Twelve hundred attended. The contact is Jim Richardson, phone (804) 797-2222.
Academic Awards Program, First Baptist Church: Roanoke, June 3, 1994
This program recognized leadership and academic achievement, and approximately 500 people attended the program at First Baptist Church under the direction of the Reverend Quinten White and Gloria Lindsay. One hundred and fifteen young people from area high schools and colleges were honored for their achievements at this program.
Awards for outstanding community college students were presented in memory of seven individuals in the African American community who had left a legacy of support and involvement in education. The contact for this program is Gloria Lindsay, phone (703) 857-7583.
African American Youth Rally at Virginia Western Community College: Roanoke, April 23, 1994
The Roanoke advisory committee sponsored the first area African American Youth Rally in April 1994. Noted attorney and orator Patricia Russell-McCloud was an exciting keynote speaker. The approximately 320 in attendance stayed for workshops on such subjects as careers, education, financial aid, relationships, and motivation. The purpose was to get young people excited about their future and the possibilities for expanding their life opportunities through education. The contact is Gloria Lindsay, phone (703) 857-7583.
Aiming for Excellence, Patrick Henry Community College: Martinsville, November 20, 1993
This program was an motivational seminar with activities aimed at building self-esteem for all ages. Participants were given a chance to visit the college campus, a first-time event for many. The guest speaker was Zebedee Talley, assistant principle of the local Martinsville High School. Two hundred and forty young people and parents attended. Contact Jean Wilson, Alliance staff at Patrick Henry Community College, phone (703) 638-8777.
Black Leadership Banquet, Patrick Henry Community College: Martinsville, February 14, 1994
Dr. Samuel Proctor, noted theologian and civil rights educator, was the keynote speaker before 245 people who attended this banquet. Dr. Proctor addressed issues of success and achievement in the face of ever-present economic and social obstacles. The program also recognized excellence in education among African American youth, students, and leaders in education among adults in the black community. The local Martinsville community Alliance for Excellence advisory committee was responsible for planning. The contact is Jean Wilson, phone (703) 638-8777.
Stephen Darr is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and Duke University. A United Methodist minister, he was a founding member of the Alliance for Excellence board of directors in 1986, and he is currently on the board of directors for the region of Southcentral Virginia.