Greene County Democrat

Tag: Dr. Carol P. Zippert

  • Gala celebrates Hank’s 83rd Birthday

    Hank Sanders reaches 2000 Sketches, all printed in the Greene County Democrat

    Senator Hank Sanders at celebration of his 2000 Sketches; John and Carol Zippert acknowledged for publishing all 2000 Sketches in the weekly Greene County Democrat. Family and community celebrating Senator Sanders reaching 2000 Sketches consecutive weeks since 1987

    A special gala was held for Senator Hank Sanders marking the dual celebrations of his Sketches #2000 and his 83rd Birthday (Oct. 28). The event was held Saturday, October 25, 2025 in Selma in the Hank Sanders Technology Building on the campus of Wallace Community College.
    The first Sketches, a column which was originally named Senate Sketches, was produced April 23, 1987 when Hank Sanders was in his first term in the Alabama State Senate. Sanders produced Sketches 2000 consecutive weeks since that date and all Sketches have been printed in the Greene County Democrat newspaper. Even as Hank Sanders traveled the world during those 38 years, he wrote his Sketches column and got it to the Democrat in a timely manner.
    Although Sketches is frequently published or carried in other media outlets, only the Greene County Democrat newspaper can boast of printing all 2000 issues.
    Hank Sanders Sketches is storytelling at its best. It captures life in the Black Belt, in Alabama, in this nation and the world. His Sketches lifts family and community in struggle and in joy; it lifts youth striving for self esteem and their place in community; it lifts the politics of healthcare, sufficient food, quality education, voting rights and an endangered democracy. As Hanks writes about his journey, he is sharing the stories of many. We can always find ourselves and our situations in his Sketches.
    The 2000 Sketches and Birthday celebration, organized by Hank’s wife Attorney Faya Rose Toure, lent itself to myriad forms of appreciation for Senator Sanders and his unwavering persistence and dedication to his mission. Dr. Carol P. Zippert, who gave remarks on the occasion, stated that Hank often says he is a vessel through which blessings flow. “Hank is a vessel filled with god’s blessings – a vessel that in turn fills our vessels,” she said. Hank’s grandchildren noted, as did others, that each Sketches has a theme that is carries throughout then column. The young folk presented a powerpoint focusing on some of Sketches’ themes and asked their Granddaddy, “What inspired that particular theme.” Hank’s responsive wisdom embraced use all.
    The gala featured music, excerpts from a play Attorney Toure is writing and good food.
    Youth leaders were recognized; gifts were distributed. This was a joyful occasion.

  • Eddie Ayers family honored at conference

    FSC/LAF holds 3rd Annual Women in Agriculture Conference

    Shown above are Eddie Ayers’ family members honored on his behalf, Mr. Ayers’ daughter, Una Johnson, Gallion, AL; grandchildren Michael and Yanna, children of Mr. Ayers’ daughter Janella Jones of Jonesboro, GA.

    The Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) held its 3rd Annual Women in Agriculture Conference, Friday, April 4, 2025 at the New Generation Church Fellowship Hall in Eutaw, AL. The program was organized under the leadership of Ms. Audrey Haskins, FSC/LAF Research and Training Center staff. Ms. Brenda Goree served as facilitator.
    Under the Conference’s theme: The Lady, The Land, The Legacy, the program featured several presentations including Female Empowerment Message by Portia Shepard of Black Women Rising; New and Beginning Farmers by Decetti Taylor, State FSA NIFA Coordinator; National Women in Ag by Cheryl Bell, of Alabama Women in Ag Chapter.
    The Women’s Health Panel included presentations on Women’s Physical Health by Catherine Shelton of UAB; Women’s Mental Health by Lashaunda Lark Darien of Lock & Key Wellness and Therapeutic Health by Briana Hubbard-Bell.
    Dr. Carol P. Zippert, a founder of FSC, was the keynote speaker focusing on a current project of the Federation’s Memorial Legacy Committee (MLC). She explained that the goal of the MLC project is to honor and memorialize the individual and groups that created, built and sustained the Federation since its birth in 1967. Several edifices will be constructed on the grounds of the FSC/LAF Research and Training Center in Epes (Sumter County), AL. The edifices, including a memorial wall, orchards, gardens, trails, cabins, gazebos, benches, etc. will be dedicated to individuals and groups that helped form the FSC/LAF.
    Special presentations by Ms. Audrey Haskins and Ms. Ethel Giles, FSC/LAF staff were made to the family of Mr. Eddie Ayers, who contributed significant work to the Federation. He served on the Board of Directors representing Alabama cooperatives. He is also famous for founding and growing the Demopolis Federal Credit Union in 1966.

  • Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement (ACRMM) sponsors activities in Greene County to honor Dr. Martin Luther Kings ‘s birthday

    Spiver W. Gordon, Rev.Samuel Ezell and Mary R.McInnis

    The Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement, Inc., (ACRMM) is sponsoring a series of programs commemorating the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to Greene County, the State of Alabama, and this nation. Mr. Spiver W. Gordon, ACRMM President, organizes these events each year in celebration and as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of so many leaders who brought about civil, social, and economic changes in our lives.
    The work of Dr. King and SCLC, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Democratic Party of Alabama (NDPA) and others provided the courageous leadership that changed laws and practices on voting rights, holding public office, desegregating public education, public accommodations, and employment opportunities for Black people in particular. As Mr. Gordon noted: “These rights are still not secured, especially the right to vote. There are strong movements to diminish those and other civil rights going on right now.”
    The annual events of ACRMM, open to the public, are scheduled as follows: On Wednesday January 15, 2025, at 10:00 am, the Dr. MKL, Jr. Educational Seminar Student Development Session will be held at New Peace Baptist Church on Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL.
    Greene County High School students are the primary invitees. State Representative Curtis Travis the keynote speaker, with special guest, Dr. Monty Thorton and Dr. Dionne Edison, Moderator of Eutaw, AL.
    On Sunday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m., the MLK, Jr. County Wide Freedom Gospel Singing at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Eutaw, AL Rev. Toya Brown, Pastor. Rev. Kelvin Cockrell, Keynote Speaker Eutaw, AL.
    On Monday, January 20, 2025, Freedom Unity Breakfast will be held at the Eutaw Activity Center on Harris Ave., Eutaw, AL, Rev. / Dr. Samuel Ezell, of Zion Brush Creek, Eutaw Alabama, is the keynote speaker. The Freedom Breakfast is followed by the Countywide Freedom March to the William M. Branch Courthouse. Religious Women Freedom Rally, 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Hon. Mary R. McInnis, Special Guests, Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Pastor Carolyn Branch and others.
    Come join us for music, food, and celebration, “We can never let ourselves forget from whence we have come. We must keep the vigil to protect our rights and continue to serve and build our communities,” Gordon said.

  • Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement sponsors activities in Greene County to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday

    The Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement, Inc., (ACRMM) is sponsoring a series of programs commemorating the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to Greene County, the State of Alabama, and this nation.
    Mr. Spiver Gordon, ACRMM President, organizes these events each year in celebration and as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of so many leaders who brought about civil, social, and economic changes in our lives. 
    The work of Dr. King and SCLC, the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the National Democratic Party of Alabama (NDPA) and others provided the courageous leadership that changed laws and practices on voting rights, holding public office, desegregating public education, public accommodations, and employment opportunities for Black people in particular.  As Mr. Gordon noted: “These rights are still not secured, especially the right to vote.  There are strong movements to diminish those and other civil rights going on right now.”
     The annual events of ACRMM, open to the public, are scheduled as follows: On Friday January 12, 2024, at 10:00 am, the Dr. MKL, Jr. Educational Seminar Student Development Session will be held at New Peace Baptist Church on Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL.  Greene County High School students are the primary invitees.  Mr. Irene Byrd, Tuscaloosa, AL is the keynote speaker, with special guest, Minister
        On Monday, January 15 at 8:00 am, the MLK, Jr. Freedom Unity Breakfast will be held at the Eutaw Activity Center on Harris Ave., Eutaw, AL, Bishop Glen McCord, Chelsea, Alabama, is the keynote speaker. Special guests, Rev. Dr. Kelvin Cockrell, Hon Garria Spencer, Dr. Monty Thornburg, and others.
    The Freedom Breakfast is followed by the Countywide Freedom March to the William M. Branch Courthouse. Religious Women Freedom Rally, 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Hon. Phyllis Craig Taylor, Durham, North Carolina. Special Guests, Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Pastor Carolyn Branch and others.  
    There will be a Senior Citizens Luncheon at 1:30 PM, at the Eutaw Activity Center, following the Courthouse meeting.
    Come join us for music, food, and celebration, “We can never let ourselves forget from whence we have come. We must keep the vigil to protect our rights and continue to serve and build our communities,” Gordon said.

  • Low turnout decisive in runoff results

    Roshonda Summerville, Robert Davis and Brandon Merriweather

    In yesterday’s runoff election, only 1,567 people in Greene County voted, as compared to 2,955 in the May 24 First Primary, which was almost a 50% decline. In the runoff there were 1,348 Democrats and 219 Republican voters in the county.

    In the race for County Commission, District 5, incumbent Roshonda Summerville received 201 votes (51.14%) to Marvin Childs with 192 votes (48.85%). Summerville will serve a second four-year term, since she is unopposed in the November General Election.

    In the Greene County Board of Education races, in District 1, Robert Davis won with 208 (62%) votes to 127 (38%) for Dr. Carol P. Zippert, the incumbent; in District 2, Brandon Merriweather garnered 143 votes (56%) to defeat Tameka King with 113 (44%) votes. The Greene County Board of Education will have two new members, for six-year terms, after the November elections.

    Commenting on his victory, Robert Davis said, “ I want to thank the voters of District 1 for placing their confidence in me. I am ready to go to work.”

    In Greene County, Malika Sanders Fortier had 751 votes (59%) to 530 for Yolanda Flowers with 530 (41%) for the Democratic nomination for Governor; but statewide, Flowers won with 32,416 (55%) to 26,363 (45%) for Fortier. Flowers, who like Fortier is African-American, will challenge Kay
    Ivey for the Governor’s position. This is the first time an African-American was nominated by a major party in Alabama for Governor.

    Katie Britt, Republican candidate for U. S. Senate won in Greene County with 147 votes (67%) to Mo Brooks with 72 votes (33%), Britt also won the Republican nomination statewide by 252,877 (63%) to 148,420 (37%) for Mo Brooks. Britt is being challenged by Democratic nominee Will
    Boyd, an African-American preacher and business owner in the November election.

    In the Republican races statewide, Wes Allen was nominated over Jim Zeigler, in the Secretary of State race and will face Democratic opposition in November. Andrew Sorrell was nominated over Stan Cooke for State Auditor band has no opposition in November. In the Alabama Public Service Commission races, Jeremy Oden was nominated for Place 1 over Brent Woodall; and for Place 2, Greene County resident, Chip Beeker was nominated statewide over Robert McCollum.

    In the District 23, State Senate race, Hank Sanders of Selma lost his bid to be elected to his old seat in the Alabama State Senate representing Selma-Dallas County and surrounding areas. Robert L. Stewart, a former employee of Congresswoman Terri Sewell, won with 8,245 (55.6%) to 6,585 (44.4%) for Hank Sanders.

  • Events to mark MLK Birthday in Greene County announced

    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Spiver W. Gordon

    Spiver W. Gordon, President of the Alabama Civil Rights Museum Movement announced plans for the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday in Greene County, for the third weekend in January.

    “In Greene County, we have been celebrating Dr. King’s Birthday long before it was a national holiday because of Dr. King’s work which brought civil rights and voting rights to our county. We also celebrate throughout the weekend, including on January 15, Dr. King’s actual birthday, as well as on the third Monday, which is the official national holiday,” said Gordon.

    On Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 12:00 Noon there will be a Freedom Sidewalk Luncheon at Sandra Walker’s former Campaign Headquarters, in Eutaw, next to the new Courthouse on Tuscaloosa Street. Speakers at this outdoor program include: Sister Martha Lucia Tonon of the Guadalupon Multicultural Services; and Attorney John Stamps, III of the Black Belt Law Center in Bessemer, Alabama. Other speakers have also been invited to give remarks.

    On Sunday, January 16, 2022, there will be a community program at First Baptist Church at 3:00 to honor Dr. King. There is a historical marker at the church remembrance of Dr. King’s coming to speak at the church in the 1960’s as part of the movement to change civil rights in this nation. Rev.  Kendrick Howell , will be the keynote speaker at this event. Rev. Lynn Finch is pastor of First Baptist Church.

    On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8:00 AM there will be a Freedom Unity Breakfast at the Branch Heights Community Center. After breakfast, there will be a march from Branch Heights to the William M. Branch County Courthouse in downtown Eutaw. At the Courthouse there will be a Freedom Rally with speakers, including Rev. James Carter, Rev. Kevin Cockrell, Eutaw Mayor Latasha Johnson, School Board Chair, Dr. Carol P. Zippert and other elected officials.

    After the Courthouse Rally, the group will return to the Branch Heights Community Center for a Dreaming About Freedom Mass Rally with Teirdre Owens, Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Terri Sewell and others.


    “We are hoping to have an inspirational series of events to start the year of 2022 in the right ‘freedom spirit’ to continue throughout the year.

  • The 45th annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival goes Virtual

    The 45th annual BlackBelt Folk Roots Festival, for the first time, will be a Virtual Celebration of folk artists who are the bearers of the culture and traditions of the West Alabama Region. According to Dr. Carol P. Zippert, festival coordinator, the coronavirus pandemic is the primary reason for presenting a virtual festival this year. “We could not jeopardize anyone with an on site community celebration,” she said.
    “The annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is home coming time in the region. Many families, class reunions and social clubs plan their annual activities to coincide with the festival’s schedule,” stated Dr. Zippert. “The usual on-site festival brings together folk artists who are considered bearers of the traditions and folkways of the West Alabama region. Having a Virtual Festival is a statement of recognition and celebration of the local artists who are the bearers of our culture, traditions and folkways,” she explained.
    The Virtual Festival will feature down home blues music, old timey gospel, traditional foods, handmade crafts and special events for the young people. Ole Timey Blues artists will include Clarence Davis, Jock Webb, Willie T. Adams, Ernest Martin, Jontavious Willis, Lil Lee and the Midnight Blues Band, Nigel Speights, Russell Gulley, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Roadhouse Blues Band, Willie Halbert and the Fingerprint Band, and others.
    Music of the Ole Timey Gospel artists will include, The Melody Kings, The Mississippi Traveling Stars, The Golden Gates, Greene County Mass Choir, The American Travelers, Angels of Faith, Ms. Eddie Brown and many others.
    The Virtual Festival will celebrate the craft artists, creators of hand made quilts; baskets from white oak, pine needles and corn shuck; jewelry, sundry of home decorative items, and more. The virtual site will also include information where viewers may contact those craft artists who have arrangements for online purchases.
    The Virtual Web Site will also celebrate the artists who bring us the assortments of down-home foods usually available at the annual festival including soul food dinners, barbecue, fried fish, chicken and skins, Polish sausage, homemade ice cream, cakes and pies; snow cones, Italian ice, and more.
    The Virtual Festival web site will be made available beginning August 22, 2020.
    Virtual Kids Art Tent – A Zoom Experience
    The Virtual Kids Tent will be presented via Zoom. Local artists Mynecia (Mya) Steele has designed various art activities and will the guide the young people in the hands-on creative projects. The youth participants who register in advance will be provided the art materials needed to participate in the Zoom classes. They may contact Maya at 205-393-8644 or email: myneciads@gmail.com; or contact Carol Zippert at 205-372-0525, email: zippert.carol79@gmail.com.
    “This is a festival where people truly celebrate themselves – their joys and struggles and especially ‘how we made it over,’” Zippert stated. We intend to claim, lift, and share our treasures of community celebration through this very special Virtual Festival – the 45th Celebration of the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival.
    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is supported in part by the Alabama Department of Tourism, the Black Belt Community Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation; Greenetrack, Inc. and other local contributors.
    The festival is produced by the Society of Folk Arts & Culture.
    For more information contact Carol P. Zippert at 205-372-0525;
    Email: zippert.carol79@gmail.com

  • FOGCE Federal Credit Union holds Annual Meeting

    Members of FOGCE Federal Credit Union at Annual Meeting.

    The Federation of Greene County Employees (FOGCE) Federal Credit Union held its Annual Meeting and Christmas Celebration on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the credit union’s offices in downtown Eutaw.
    The meeting was well attended by more than 35 members who came to learn the status and future plans for the credit union.
    Joyce Pham, Treasurer, gave a financial report indicating that as of December 31, 2017, the FOGCE had $503,782.56 in loans outstanding to the membership with assets of $1,343,153.16. There are 891 members and net income for 2017 was $13,819.19.
    Mary Dunn, Chairperson of the Credit Committee reported that the FOGCE had made 333 loans in 2018, for a total of $421,537.69, which included ten automobile loans with a value of $153,839.
    Rodney Pham indicated that the Credit Committee had increased the maximum loan for an automobile from $40,000 to $60,000. Loans are based on the car’s value, repayment ability and credit rating of the borrower.
    Dr. Carol P. Zippert, President reported on the credit union. “ We started in 1975, 43 years ago, with around $25,000 in savings and we have grown to have $1.3 million in assets today. After years of operating in renter spaces, we now own our own building on the Courthouse Square in Eutaw.”
    Zippert continued, “ We recently received a $10,000 grant from Inclusiv (formerly the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions) for technology upgrades, accounting and compliance, financial education and counseling for members and marketing and communications expenses to improve contact with our members. We plan to use these grant funds to grow and improve our credit union. We would like to have 1,000 members and over $1.5 million in assets by the end of 2019.”
    Joyce Pham indicated that any person who lives, works or worships in Greene County is eligible to join the credit union. It takes $35.00 to join, with $10 for administrative fees to set-up the account and $25.00 as the initial share deposit. All savings are insured by the National Credit Union Administration up to a value of $250,000 per account.
    Pham said the credit union is now getting payroll deduction of savings and loan payments from more than thirty employers and businesses in Greene County and surrounding communities including Aliceville, Demopolis, Tuscaloosa and others.
    In the business meeting, the members re-elected three board members including Darlene Robinson, Rodney Pham and Mollie Rowe. Also re-elected to the Credit Committee were: Mary Dunn, Rodney Pham and Vonda Richardson. .
    Several visitors from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives made congratulatory remarks to the members. These included: Carrie Fulghum, Alabama Board member with the Federation, Dr. Marcus Bernard, Director of the Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, Alabama, and John Zippert, long time Federation staff member.

  • Annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, time for reunions, good food and music

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    Lemon Harper of Sumter County shows off his dance routine at Annual Festival.  and John Kennedy Byrd prepares his famous Barbecue ribs at annual festival

    Where else can you smile and sway to ole timey blues, enjoy the delicacies of right-off-the grill barbecue and polish sausages, feast on freshly cooked country dinners with assorted pies and cakes and then top it all off with hand churned homemade ice cream.
    All this and more is happening at the annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival on Saturday, August 25 and Sunday August 26 on the Old Courthouse Square in Eutaw, AL.
    The festival features down home blues music, old timey gospel, traditional foods, handmade crafts. Saturday’s events are scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with Ole Timey Blues and dancing featuring musicians Clarence Davis, The Liberators, Jock Webb, Davey Williams, Russell Gulley, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, and others.
    The handmade crafts available at the festival are traditional quilts and other needle works; baskets from white oak, pine needles and corn shucks. The assortments of down-home foods include soul food dinners, barbecue, fried fish, chicken and skins, homemade ice cream, cakes and pies; snow cones, Italian ice, and more.
    Ole Timey Gospel is reserved for Sunday’s festival beginning at 2:00 p.m. and featuring the
    The Echo Juniors, The Melody Kings, The Mississippi Traveling Stars, The Golden Gates, New Generation Men of Promise, Greene County Mass Choir, Glory Gospel Group, Angels of Faith, The American Gospel Singers and many others.

    “The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is home coming time in the region. Many families, class reunions and social clubs plan their annual activities to coincide with the festival’s schedule,” stated Dr. Carol P. Zippert, festival coordinator. “The festival brings together musicians, craftspersons, storytellers, food specialists, community workers – all who are considered bearers of the traditions and folkways of the West Alabama region,” she explained. “This is a festival where people truly celebrate themselves – their joys and struggles and especially ‘How we made it over,’” Zippert states.
    According to Dr. Zippert, the two day festival is open to the public free of charge. The hours are Saturday, August 25, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday August 26, 2:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival is supported in part by the Black Belt Community Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation, Alabama Department of Tourism and other local contributors.
    The festival is produced by the Society of Folk Arts & Culture.
    There is no admission fee for the Festival events.
    For more information contact Carol P. Zippert at 205-372-0525;
    Email: carolxzippert@aol.com

  • University of West Alabama receives approval for a charter school; Will this help or hurt public education in Sumter County?

    A News Analysis
    By: John Zippert,Co-Publisher

    The Alabama Public Charter School Commission on June 27, 2017 approved the application of the University of West Alabama for a charter school on campus.
    Dr. Ken Tucker, President of UWA has been vigorously promoting the idea of a charter school since the end of last year. Community meetings were held in March 2017 in Livingston, York, Emelle and Epes to solicit public comments and input on the proposed charter school.
    The mission, as stated on the website of the University’s Charter School, is to be a rural, diverse K-12 school that cultivates independent thought, promotes the building of character and civic responsibility. The school is committed to preparing all students for personal and professional success through the discovery of individual learning pathways in a rigorous and integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) focused, project-based and place-based curriculum.
    The school ties into other components of the University’s educational program including its Black Belt Teacher Corps, Center for Excellence in Teaching, Rural Schools Collaborative and others.
    The school is proposed to open a pre-K through 5th grade in 2018-2019, and add subsequent grades in the following years. Initially the school will be located on the UWA campus but other alternative sites are also being explored.
    The charter school will have its own private non-profit board of directors to control the school. The University’s board will not govern the school, according to the website, but the initial work and funding has been sponsored and coordinated with UWA.
    The website states, “ A charter school provides an alternative to students and parents. According to the Alabama Kid’s Count Data Book, there are more than 2,500 K-12 students in Sumter County. Of this number, just over 1,700 are associated with a school located in Sumter County. This reveals a deficit of more than 800 students who are either enrolled in a school system outside Sumter County or not enrolled at all. The establishment of a charter school in Sumter County gives those students another educational option.”
    Where are these 800 students? Some of the younger ones are in Headstart or Early Headstart; some attend schools in neighboring counties, e.g., Demopolis, Pickens County, Tuscaloosa; and some attend Sumter Academy, which was established in the 1960’s to accommodate white children who did not want to attend integrated schools. Recently, Sumter Academy announced it was closing its doors due to lack of enrollment.

    President Ken Tucker says that the proposed charter school will help to deal with depopulation, loss of business and industry, skilled workforce shortages, poverty and lack of child well being. Marcus Campbell, Chair of the Sumter County Commission says he was on an exploratory committee for the charter school and was told that it would help to attract new industry and people to the community.
    The charter school will be funded based on the state per-pupil allocation. If the charter school draws from children attending the public schools, then it will hurt and reduce the budget for the existing public schools in the county. The charter school seems to sidestep this concern by focusing on the students, mostly white, from Sumter County, who seemingly chose not to attend public schools in the county.
    Ms. Daisybelle Quinney, Sumter County School Board member says, “I am opposed to this charter school, it further divides the community and takes resources from public education. If UWA was so concerned and interested in the welfare and future of Sumter County students why didn’t they come to meet with our Board and Superintendent and help to bring all the students together in one great school system.”
    Ms. Julene Delaine, another SC school Board member said,
    “I am 100% for public schools. I think it is time for people in Sumter County, Black and white, to come together to build up and make things better, not worse and tear things apart.”
    Delaine also pointed out that members of the last graduating class at Sumter Central had entered college at a sophomore level because of taking Advanced Placement classes in the public school and that students earned $6.5 million in college scholarships.
    An official release, faxed to the Democrat from the Sumter County Board of Education, stated the following: “The Sumter County Board of Education will continue to improve all aspects of our academic and extra curricular programs. At this time we do not have any comments on the UWA charter school.”
    Ms. Drucilla Jackson, Vice-Chair of the Sumter County Commission, said, “ I graduated from UWA but what they are doing to set up a new school to take resources from the public schools is shameful and unacceptable. They are going to take a few of our brightest and best students out of the public schools but most of the students will be white students fleeing school integration. The saddest part of this is that white folks need to face up to living and working in a society with Black people if we are going to have real change in the Black Belt.”
    There are many questions that the people of Sumter and surrounding counties need to ask about this charter school. How many students and resources will they take from Sumter County Public Schools and Headstart? How diverse will their student body really be and how will they insure this? What kind of teachers will they have at the school?; will they be properly credentialized? Why does the charter school need a separate board that has only two African-American members in a county with a 70% Black majority?
    Dr. Carol P. Zippert, a Greene County School Board member said, “ It is undeniable that this charter school will take resources from the public schools but the real issue is that UWA and its white supporters do not accept or want to be governed and controlled by a Board of Education and Superintendent elected by a Black majority population in Sumter County. How will UWA help education in the Alabama Black Belt if they do not trust or believe in Black leadership?”