History in the making.

The Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators is devoted to furthering academic success for the nation's children, particularly those of African descent.

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Supporting a quality, relevant, and abundant education for our children.

The Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators (VAABSE) is an affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). VAABSE became an official affiliate of NABSE in December of 2022.

Founded in 1970, NABSE, is the nation’s premiere non-profit organization devoted to furthering the academic success for the nation’s children – particularly children of African descent.

One of VAASBE’s key objectives is to raise awareness and provide a voice for children, educators, and families of African decent across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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VAABSE Executive Board

President

Dr. George Parker III

Retired Virginia Superintendent

President-Elect

Dr. John B. Gordon III

Division Superintendent of Suffolk (VA) Public Schools

Secretary

Dr. Taneshia Rachal

Director of English and History, Greensville County Public Schools

Bio

Dr. Taneshia H. Rachal, a respected educational leader, mentor, and published author, began her career in education twenty-six years ago after graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Teaching degree. She also holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary Washington and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Rachal served on the Superintendent’s Investigative Panel for the Virginia Department of Education for six years, and participated in the 2017 class of the Harvard University Women in Educational Leadership Institute as well as the 2021 AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Female Leaders. A former high school English teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and School Improvement Officer, Dr. Rachal currently serves as a Principal Coach in Greensville County Public Schools. Dr. Rachal is honored to be the current President of Women Educational Leaders in Virginia (WELV). Dr. Rachal’s work appears in: Identity Intersectionalities, Mentoring, and Work-Life (Im-Balance): Educators (Re)Negotiate the Personal, Professional, and Political (2016). Her true passion lies in mentoring and coaching educational leaders, providing educational reform for diverse student populations, critically examining curriculum, teaching, and learning processes, and increasing achievement and equity in schools. VAABSE Focus: Sadly, the numbers haven't changed. The achievement gap for children of African descent has not closed; disproportionality in minority teacher representation is still a concern. The list goes on and on... I joined VAABSE to inspire one another as educators as we place an intentional focus on improving the educational outcomes and level the playing field for our children. As Secretary, I look forward to supporting VAABSE with accurate record keeping, attention to detail/organization, participating on various committees, and anything else that is needed!

Treasurer

Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed

Coordinator for Pupil Personnel, Southampton County Public Schools

Parliamentarian

Dr. Elie Bracy III

Division Superintendent of Portsmouth City Public Schools

Historian

Dr. Kelvin Edwards

Division Superintendent of Greensville County Public Schools

Bio

Dr. Kelvin M. Edwards, Sr. is the division superintendent of Greensville County Public Schools. Dr. Edwards is a Transformational leader with thirty years of public education service in Virginia and North Carolina. He has led schools in various leadership capacities and has transformed schools throughout his career. His efforts to improve student achievement resulted in Dr. Edwards being named principal of the year in Roanoke Rapids City Schools. Additionally, he has served as the state president of the North Carolina Association of Career and Technical Education and president of the Agricultural Education Association. Dr. Edwards was recently recognized in 2022 as an outstanding graduate from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He has served in the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned and non-commissioned officer. Dr. Edwards is also a servant leader with vast experience in local government having served two terms as a county commissioner and school board member. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Chowan University, teaching courses on Diversity. Dr. Edwards received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from North Carolina A&T State University, Ed. S and doctorate in educational leadership from Cambridge College. Edwards also received his certification in Career Technical Education from NC State University. Dr. Edwards is a graduate of the American Association of Superintendent’s Association (AASA) Urban Superintendent’s Academy (Cohort 3) and the Virginia Association of School Superintendent’s (VASS) Leadership Academy (Cohort 2). He is currently a participant in the Virginia Transformation Leadership Academy, co-sponsored by VASS and VDOE. He is married to Shewanda Edwards, and they have two children, Kelse and Kelvin, Jr. VAABSE Focus: Joining VAABSE was critical to continue to direct my energy and drive to level the field to encourage and motivate educators to seek and serve in leadership roles in education.

Chaplain

Michael Powell

Principal of Laburnum Elementary in Henrico County Public Schools

Bio

Michael M. Powell, who is currently a Principal of Laburnum Elementary in Henrico County Public Schools, is known for both his leadership, classroom teaching and community activism. He is a graduate of the University of the District of Columbia where he earned a B.S. degree in Science. He continued his education at Howard University earning a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently a doctoral candidate in Administration and Supervision. After his distinguished service as a Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician, he made the choice to be proactive in the lives of children and became an educator. Michael chose to save lives in the classroom instead of on the sometimes-cold streets of our nation’s capital. For Mr. Powell, science education is pivotal to student success. Therefore, he volunteers his time as a coach for many after school science related activities. Of particular interest is Cary Elementary School No Child Left Inside Eco-campus and environmental science program. He has led Cary to receiving both local and national recognition for school-wide environmental stewardship practices. Most recently, Cary Elementary received recognition as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. In addition, Michael has led his school to receive recognition as a National PTA School of Excellence and U.S. News and World Report Best School. Mr. Powell is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the REB Distinguished Leadership Award, National Disney Hand Award, Wal-Mart Maryland Teacher of the Year, Washington Post Agnes Meyers Outstanding Teacher Award, Washington Wizards Abe Pollin Award for Exemplary Community Service, Bank of America Neighborhood Champion, Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals School Bell Leadership award, The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Champion Award, The Micah Ruby G. Martin Award, Prince George’ County Maryland Teacher of the Year, Prince George’s County Outstanding Volunteer, Howard University School of Education Alumnus of the Year, and a recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children. Michael has committed his entire life’s work to enriching the lives of others. He has dedicated many of his energies to forwarding education, particularly among those who often find themselves voiceless in society. He sincerely believes that, in order to secure a better future, all people must continue to learn from lessons of the past. Thus, he has spent an extraordinary amount of his time and physical resources in the area of environmental and social justice.

VAABSE Membership

Join VAABSE

Our professional network of educators, leaders and education partners ensures that maximum resources and effort is made on closing achievement gaps, teacher recruitment, educator retention and improving opportunities for students.

For all prospective members, joining VAABSE will allow you to have a voice in shaping educational policy, professional learning that focuses on cultural competency, and instructional innovation that addresses the achievement gaps of students of color. All prospective members will choose to support one of the following focus committees: Membership, Conference Planning, Governance in Education, Instructional Innovation, Professional Learning, Social Branding & Marketing, Hospitality, and Research & Development.

VAABSE Events

VAABSE Conference

The VAABSE Conference will allow all members to participate in professional learning and to grow their professional network in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

See you at the VAABSE Conference 2025

Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa/Short Pump

2025

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Sponsors and Partnerships

The Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators (VAABSE) would like to thank you and your company for consideration in becoming a sponsor/business partner. VAABSE became an affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators in December of 2021. One of the primary goals of VAABSE is to create an annual conference for educators to participate in relevant professional learning, strengthen their professional network, and to promote educational excellence and leadership. Our slogan is “History in the Making” as this would be our inaugural conference, slated for January 2024.

Sponsorships are tiered into multiple levels based on the desired partnership of the business. Sponsorship Levels are as follows:

Sponsorship Info View our Sponsors & Partners

Patron Level

Listed in conference program

$ 500

State Level

Sponsorship of VAABSE Social and Networking event

$ 5000 min.

Bronze Level

Includes business logo on advertisements, brochures, and programs

$ 10,000

Silver Level

Includes business logo on advertisements, brochures, programs, and public service announcements throughout the conference

$ 15,000

Gold Level

Includes business logo on advertisements, brochures, programs, public service announcements, and free vendor booth rental

$ 25,000

Signature Level

Includes business logo on all advertisements for VAABSE events, brochures, programs, public service announcements, and free vendor booth rental. Multi-year commitment.

$ 50,000 min.

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