River Region Leadership Forum

RRUW launched the River Region Bold Goal Coalition on September 8, 2021, at a virtual Leadership Forum of civic, community and education leaders from across United Way’s five-county service area.

The Bold Goal Coalition seeks to increase the number of students across the five-county River Region who are reading proficiently by the end of the third grade. Subject matter experts on grade-level reading and collective impact provided an overview of the Coalition challenges and opportunities. Six superintendents from area public school systems participated in a panel discussion on opportunities for increased community involvement. The Forum concluded with a conversation about best practices from similar efforts across the country.

Speakers:

• Barbara Cooper, Ph.D., Secretary, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
• Sheila Austin, Ph.D. , Dean of Education, Auburn University Montgomery
• Jacqueline Brooks, Ed.D., Superintendent, Macon County Schools
• Nick Moore, Education Policy Advisor & Coordinator Governor’s Office of Education & Workforce Transformation, Office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
• Monroe Nichols, Director of Network Growth, StriveTogether
• Richard Dennis, Superintendent, Elmore County Public Schools
• Rhea Ingram, Ph.D., Chair of the Board and Chief Volunteer Officer, River Region United Way
• Chuck Ledbetter, Ed.D., Superintendent, Pike Road City Schools
• Anne Roy Moore, Ed.D., Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools
• Ron Simmons, President & CEO, River Region United Way
• Audra Stinson, Principal, Jackson-Steele Elementary School (Lowndes County Public Schools)
• Timothy Tidmore, Superintendent, Autuaga County Schools

To learn more about the Bold Goal Initiative: