OUR STORY
The history of African Americans in Texas and throughout America is one of resilience, innovation, and triumph. However, despite some limited success, the African American community has been impaired by decades of neglect, insensitivity, and the inability of leadership to develop and implement plans to sustain its core institutions and people.
OUR VISION
We will study and promote the advancement of public policy, economic development, education, and leadership development as it relates to the African American community in North Central Texas and throughout the state of Texas.
OUR MISSION
We advance and inform, through research and teaching, the political decision-making process to empower and promote the African American community.
AALI FOUNDING MEMBERS (2016)
Former Texas State Representative
Eric Johnson - Texas House of Representatives District 100 - Dallas, TX
(Current - City of Dallas Mayor)
Texas State Senator Royce West
Senate District 23
Dallas, TX
Texas State Representative Toni Rose
Texas House of Representatives District 110 - Dallas, TX
Dr. Lew Blackburn
Former DISD School Board Trustee
District 5 - Dallas, TX
Former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Erik Wilson
Dallas City Council District 8
Dallas, TX
Councilman Casey Thomas
Dallas City Council District 3
Dallas, TX
Dr. Michael Sorrell
President of Paul Quinn College
Dallas, TX
Former Texas State Representative
Helen Giddings - Texas House of Representatives District 109 - Dallas, TX
Councilman Tennell Atkins
Dallas City Council District 8
Dallas, TX
Commissioner Roy Brooks
Tarrant County Commissioners Court Precinct 1 - Ft. Worth, TX
2023 AALI ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Keith J. Benn, Sr. - Chair
Elected Officials - Members
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Dallas Councilman Tennell Atkins
Texas State Representative Nicole Collier
State Board of Education Trustee Aicha Davis
Texas State Representative Carl Sherman
Texas State Representative Toni Rose
Dallas Councilman Casey Thomas
Texas State Senator Royce West
Texas State Representative Nicole Collier - Texas House of Representatives District 95
Ft. Worth, TX
Aicha Davis
State Board of Education Trustee
District 13 - Dallas, TX
Texas State Representative
Carl Sherman - Texas House of Representatives District 109
Dallas, TX
Members
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Maurice A. West Executive Director
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James K. Agbodzakey, PhD. Education
Tremon Arnold Healthcare
Priscilla Barbour Randall Communications/Social Media
Lajuana D. Barton Logistics
Andrea Beavers, PA-C Healthcare
Alan Beavers Technology/Healthcare
Melissa Bradford Fundraising
Ben Brown Housing
Tim Gibbs Economic Development
Michael (Mike) Grace, AICP Economic Development
Audrey Johnson Fundraising/EO Reception
Catrina B Johnson Criminal Justice
Undrea Miller Education
Sean Read Young Adult Outreach
Maria Salazar Criminal Justice
Kelsel Thompson Logistics
Randolph Wilson
