ATLANTA – Rep. Alisha Morgan (D-Austell) stole the show this weekend at the National Action Network’s Summer Conference. The National Action Network (NAN), founded by Rev. Al Sharpton in 1991, has worked within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes one standard of justice and decency for all people regardless of race, social justice for communities, and the improvement of race relations.
NAN’s Summer Conference, which took place at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency August 13th-15th in Atlanta, GA, was focused primarily on the state of education and the role of education reform in the civil rights agenda. Rep. Morgan was featured throughout the weekend’s events, first serving on a panel on Thursday to discuss the state and futures of our nation’s historically Black college’s and universities (HBCUs). The panel included Rev. Al Sharpton, John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., Ed.D, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs and acting President of Morris Brown College Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, Sr. discussing the current set of challenges aggravating the legacy of HBCUs across the country.
On Friday, Rep. Morgan was honored with the Leadership Changemaker Award for her work in education during the Conference’s Leadership Breakfast. Fellow honorees included local heroes Mayor of Atlanta Shirley Franklin, Southeastern Regional Director of Rainbow PUSH Joe Beasley, and civil rights activist Jesse Hill.
“I thank the National Action Network for this award and for bringing this cogent issue to the forefront of our nation’s attention and agenda. Education is one of the principle responsibilities and challenges of our community, and is one of the most urgent priorities in securing the continued flourishing of our children and our nation,” said Rep. Morgan upon receiving her award.
“When it comes to a child’s education, we only get one chance. And I’m committed not only to reforming the system, but saving it – one child at a time,” Morgan added.
On Saturday, Rep. Morgan joined Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) and others for a Youth Speak Out & Town Hall Meeting on the issue of bullying violence. Conceptualized by Rev. Al Sharpton, the town hall was catalyzed by the suicide of 11-year-old DeKalb County student Jaheem Herrera, who was purportedly bullied. The town hall, which Rep. Morgan helped organize as a member of Georgia’s Coalition Against Bullying, focused on allowing youth to share their experiences on bullying and learn from experts in the fields of education, violence prevention, and government how schools and communities can effectively address this issue.
* A picture of Representative Alisha Morgan receiving the Leadership Changemaker Award from National Action Network Chairman of the Board Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and Dominique Sharpton, daughter of NAN Founder and President Rev. Al Sharpton is attached for your convenience. *
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Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan represents the citizens of District 39, which includes portions of Cobb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and currently serves on the Children & Youth, Education, Governmental Affairs, and Health & Human Services committees.