The Building on Resilience Lecture series, a biannual event sponsored by the MACH-III Center is based on Bonner’s edited book Building on Resilience: Models and Frameworks of Black Male Success Across the P-20 Pipeline. This lecture series is open to the faculty, staff and students at Prairie View as well as guest from the community. Through this lecture series, the Center brings nationally known scholars to the campus of Prairie View A&M University whose research and activism focuses on equity and resilience for students, administrators, and faculty of color across the P-20 pipeline.
The Series this spring got off to a great start with Dr. Judy Alston, professor in the Department of Doctoral Studies and Advanced Programs at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. A program highlight was doctoral candidate, Cephas Riggins, who led the audience in singing the Negro National anthem. Dr. Alston delivered a powerful message. Her positionality as scholar and ordained minister was realized through her delivery of a message that was both academically and spiritually poignant. Her topic #TIMESUP: STEPPING OUT OF THE BOAT TO LEAD, MOVING FROM TEMPERED RADICAL TO REFINED REVOLUTIONARY enthralled the audience.
Dr. Alston stated, “Having the opportunity to speak at PVAMU’s MACH-III Lecture series is one of the highlights of my career in higher education. The MACH-III Center staff is awesome. The time spent with students, faculty, and staff talking about leadership and specifically debating a new aspect of leading from the margins was priceless for me. I consider Houston a second home, and to have the chance to come back to the area and be received with such open arms, minds, and hearts will forever have a special place in my life.”