Cummings has served as a teacher and administrator in the public schools in Dayton, Ohio; Dr. Francis Chase, University of Chicago, selected him to participate in the Study of Instruction commissioned by the DISD Board of Education. He was the administrative leader in Career and Vocational Education Department, DISD. Later served in positions with the Texas Education Agency: Executive Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner of federal Programs; Texas Southern University: tenured professor and dean of the College of Education. Researcher, author and advocate for educational equity and culturally effective pedagogy throughout Texas and the United States. Tri-founder of dr/NABSE.

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Revered as a champion for children. Served thirty seven year as an educator: elementary teacher in Mississippi and the Dallas ISD/Award-winning principal of Julia C. Frazier Elementary School (exemplary School rating for seven consecutive years, T.E.A.; Governor’s Excellence Award and NABSE Demonstration School and Principal of the Year Award). Other awards: Outstanding Practicing Educator Award from the African American Education Archives and History Program and Texas association of Black School Educators, Distinguished Principal Award.


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Multifaceted educator/lecturer: multicultural education, African-American Studies, the life of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., civil rights and other topics. Taught at SMU and served as the director of Multicultural Student Affairs and adjunct professor of African American Studies. DISD, special assistant to superintendent and director of multicultural Education. Consultant, PBS documentary on the first federal Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Holiday.


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Forty-one year career educator in DISD. She began teaching in 1973. Served as teacher, assistant principal and principal in six schools and central office positions (directed and implemented instructional programs, managed principal training and oversaw compliance related to local, state and federal policies and laws). Led C.F. Carr and Jefferson Davis Elementary Schools to receive Recognized School status from T.E.A... Initiated a high school prom for special needs students.


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Outstanding master teacher, forty-three year career educator. Her career began in 1972, Stephen F. Austin High School, Bryan, Texas. From 1989 to 2015, students in the DISD were taught by a master social studies teacher. While at A. Maceo Smith High School, from 1995 to 2013, she was recognized as teacher of the year, outstanding African American history chair and outstanding academic leader by the Meadows Foundation and Frito Lay Company. Achieved the highest ACP scores in the Social Studies Department for five years.


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Forty year career educator. Began teaching in Gainesville Independent School District, Texas. Later employed by the Dallas Independent School District: teacher and department chairperson (Longfellow Academy), Specialist IV Alternative Certification, director alternative certification and personnel administrator. The DISD AC Program was one of the largest in the State and received a high rating by SBEC (State Board for Educator Certification). Recruited and trained thousands of individuals from other professionals to become effective educators in critical teaching areas and assisting DISD to meet court ordered ratios for minorities. Known throughout the state and nation as a leader in the field of alternative certification. Served as first African American president of the National Association for Alternative Certification.


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Former Dallas Independent School District trustee, administrator for the U. S. Department of Education (oversight of civil rights enforcement, five state region) and military veteran. Currently, serves as a Dallas County Justice of Peace. DISD Board of Education: Initiated policies to increase parent/community participation in school governance (site based management), school uniforms (gang prevention measure), Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise. Minority business involvement increased from 8% to more than 35% during Jones tenure on the board. A graduate of Dallas ISD schools. He served two terms on the school board and was an advocate for students and parents.


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Keaton’s career in education spans twenty-one years in DISD. He was a regular classroom teacher (1st, 2nd and 4th grades), Chapter I Reading program, Music and Art, Basic Skills Cores (4-6 grades), computer education and teacher trainer. Keaton comes from a family of educators (sister and mother) President of Dallas ISD Counselors Association. Impressive record of community service: includes time spent as the chair of genealogy groups and a member of the board of Preservation Dallas and the AA Museum and president of Remembering Black Dallas. Worked to create historical markers, monuments and an educational program highlighting the accomplishments of African Americans.


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Strong passion for serving others, thirty-three years in public education; 26 years in DISD. Served in the Seagoville community during the period of school desegregation. 1970, was the first administrator to serve at the majority white Seagoville High school. A decade and a half later, Mosley was appointed principal Seagoville Elementary School. Oversaw construction of the new elementary school. Received a $57,000 state award to promote community involvement. Very active in Church and community activities. Encouraged students to develop their talents by pursuing academic excellence.


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Motivated by a philosophy that all students are capable, able and prepared to learn despite disadvantages. Townsend’s career spans forty-four years, three years in Paris ISD, Texas and the remaining years in the Dallas ISD. He taught at N.W. Harllee and George W. Carver Elementary schools and served as an assistant principal at R. L. Thornton Elementary School, Boude Storey and J. L. Long middle schools and principal at J. N. Ervin Elementary School and Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School. Implemented student attendance incentives involving community organizations and all male development program to foster leadership skills, Parents on Patrol Program to reduce off campus alternative placements for students. Led Oliver Wendell Holmes to a Recognized accountability rating with the Texas Education Agency.


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