Stephen Black studied American History at The University of Pennsylvania, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in 1993 graduating magna cum laude, before attending Yale Law School where he graduated in 1997. Following law school, Black moved to Birmingham to become involved in public affairs and to practice law at the firm Maynard, Cooper and Gale. After three years in private practice, he spent a year serving as an assistant to the Governor, where he researched policy issues and worked on economic development projects. After leaving the Governor’s office in 2001, he returned to Maynard, Cooper and Gale and began his campaign for Alabama State Treasurer.

After coming up 3% short of victory in the 2002 general election, Stephen returned to practice law at Maynard, Cooper and Gale and became an adjunct professor in the Honors Program at the University of Alabama.

In June 2005, Black was appointed to the UA faculty as a Senior Lecturer in Communicative Ethics and asked to create and then direct a new Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. He also serves on the boards of the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and the Alabama Poverty Project.

Email:sblack@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Sarah Louise Smith, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, graduated cum laude from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in June 2006 with a BA in political economy. At Williams, Sarah Louise tutored students at Williamstown Elementary School, was active in the advocacy and public awareness efforts of the Student Global AIDS Campaign, and served on a student government faculty committee. She has interned for two U.S. Representatives and worked at a national political convention. In 2005, Sarah Louise worked with the Salzburg Seminar in Salzburg, Austria, an international organization that encourages cross-cultural dialogue by sponsoring forums on current international issues. Following her service with Impact, Sarah Louise plans to attend law school.

Email:SLSmith@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Elizabeth Blair, a native of Headland, AL, graduated magna cum laude and with University Honors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in May 2007 with a degree in Philosophy and Legal Affairs. While studying at UAB, Elizabeth served as an Honors Program Teaching Assistant, an executive board member for the Leadership and Service Council, and as a volunteer for the Birmingham Crisis Center. She was also a four year member of the UAB Mock Trial Team, serving as Captain for the last three years. During that time, Elizabeth won 10 Best Attorney Awards and lead the team to a National Tournament Championship in 2006. During the 2007-08 academic year, Elizabeth served as a FocusFirst Coordinator. Following her time with Impact, she plans to attend law school.

Email:eblair@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Jenny Hughes is a 2001 graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts (dance) and a 2005 magna cum laude graduate of Birmingham Southern College (psychology and dance). After attending graduate school for experimental psychology at the University of South Alabama, Jenny moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for a best practices research firm called Corporate Executive Board. She then decided to go back to school for social work and was awarded a Graduate Council Fellowship at the University of Alabama. After completing her MSW degree in Spring of 2009, Jenny plans to work in rural community development.

Email:jhughes@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Flemming Rhode, a native of Denmark, graduated cum laude from the University of Richmond in May 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences. Flemming focused his studies on four majors: Political Science, International Studies, Rhetoric and Communication Studies, and Economics while writing an honors thesis in the latter on the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. Flemming spent one semester studying at the University of Hong Kong and has also lived in Norway and Australia. While at the University of Richmond, Flemming was on the debate team for four years and was a member of the Phi Beta Delta and Lamda Pi Eta honor societies. Following his time with Impact, he plans to attend a graduate program in Communication Studies.

Email:frhode@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Amy Almand, a native of Snellville, Georgia, is a 2008 graduate of Samford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies and a minor in Spanish.  During college, Amy participated in the Leadership Scholars Program, worked as a research assistant in the Family Studies Department, and volunteered at First Light Women's Homeless Shelter. She served as the president of Kappa Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi and president of the Samford Chapter of the National Council on Family Relations. Before coming on staff with Impact Alabama, Amy worked as a child assistant at The Bell Center for Early Intervention and a camp counselor at the Shades Valley YMCA. While attending Samford, she studied abroad in Madrid, Spain and spent her spring breaks volunteering in Saltillo, Mexico and Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and was selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Following her time with Impact Alabama, Amy will be joining the 2009 Teach for America Corps in Charlotte, NC and will pursue a Master's Degree in Secondary Education.

Email:aalmand@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Alana Dickie, a native of Oneonta, AL, graduated summa cum laude and with University Honors from The University of Alabama in May 2007 with a degree in Public Relations. This past year, she pursued a Masters in Elementary Education at UA and worked in graphic design at The Crimson White, UA’s student newspaper. While at Alabama, Alana was Chief Justice of the Academic Honor Council and a member The XXXI, a senior women’s honorary. She also served on the Avanti Orientation Team, on the College Leadership Team at First Baptist Tuscaloosa, and as the Speakers Programming Director for University Programs. In the summer of 2007, she worked at Pine Cove Camps in Tyler, TX as a counselor to elementary-age girls from low-income, inner-city areas. After working with Impact, Alana plans to complete her graduate studies and work in education in Alabama.

Email:adickie@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Danita Hosecloth, a native of Lithia Springs, Georgia, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Sciences and a minor in General Business from The University of Alabama in August 2008. While attending the University, Danita served as the Vice-President of Alpha Delta Sigma sorority and was a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda honor society. She also volunteered with several community service agencies, including the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and Turning Point Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. Following her time with Impact, Danita plans to pursue a career with the federal government or a non-profit agency.

Email:dhosecloth@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Chris Jackson graduated from The University of Alabama in 2008 with a B.S. in marketing. Chris enjoys playing and writing music and currently plays in the praise band at Capstone Church. Following his time at Impact, Chris plans to attend graduate school for marketing or business administration.  He would eventually like to develop a nonprofit organization focused on increasing educational opportunities for African children in poverty.

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Preston Miller, a native of Cullman, Alabama, graduated from Samford University in May 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in English and a minor in History.  He was a member of National Honors Society and earned All-Area and All-State honors in football and track at Cullman High School. At Samford, he was a Beeson Scholar and a member of Sigma Tau Delta and Phi Alpha Theta honor societies.  Preston also spent a semester abroad in London and became the university's first graduate with a film studies concentration. Since then, he has worked as a volunteer coach and teacher.  He also recently served as a campaign volunteer and directed student outreach for James Fields' historic election to the Alabama House of Representatives.  Following his time at Impact, Preston plans to attend law school.

Email:pmiller@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

David Rooney, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated from Wake Forest University in May 2008 with a major in History and minors in Biology and Music.  Throughout college, he participated in numerous service trips, including ones to West Virginia, El Salvador, and New Orleans, and he was an active member in Habitat for Humanity Club.  David also was a brother in Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, serving as Secretary, Rush Chair, and Treasurer, and he served on the executive board of the Interfraternity Council.  During summer and winter breaks, David worked in labs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under Dr. William Grizzle.  Following his time with Impact, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health.

Email:drooney@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Joseph Tootle, a native of Birmingham, Alabama graduated from The University of Alabama in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. While at Alabama, he was active with Habitat for Humanity, interned at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and participated in Impact Alabama's SaveFirst Initiative. Following his time with Impact, Joseph will attend law school.

Email:jtootle@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Caroline Williams, a native of Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, recently graduated from Samford University with a BA in English with a film criticism concentration and a Religion minor.  While in college, Caroline co-founded the Samford University Film Club and led the club through her senior year.  She was also active in the Samford chapter of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, co-led a Lectio Divina group with Samford University Ministries, and was active in Birmingham Episcopal Campus Ministries.  In her time at Samford, Caroline was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Tau Delta, and Theta Alpha Kappa honors societies. During her summer and winter breaks, Caroline worked with the youth group at her home church, chaperoning service weeks to Virginia and Wisconsin.  After her time with Impact Alabama, Caroline hopes to continue her education with an interdisciplinary study of film and theology.

Email:cwilliams@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

Angel Abston, from Gordo Alabama, graduated from The University of Alabama in May 2007 with a B.A. in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Community Counseling at UA. During her time at UA she worked in various research labs, including the Coping Power's Program, and volunteered at local mental health facilities. She also taught freshman bible study at Calvary Baptist Church and was active in local mission projects. During her senior year and post graduation she worked at Brewer-Porch Children's Center as a Senior Mental Health Worker. More recently she traveled to Caraveli, Peru to work with the local church and has joined a team that will continue these efforts.

Email:aabston@impactalabama.orgBack to Top

After receiving a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music from St. Bernard College and a Masters of Science in Math Education at Southern Illinois University, Ms. Anderson decided to begin teaching math in schools in Alabama. Ms. Anderson currently has over thirty years of math experience teaching in the Birmingham City Schools, Jefferson State Community College, the Altamont School, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Vestavia Hills Learning Center. At the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Fredericka served as the Math Department Chair. She is also a music teacher and an accomplished organist.

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