As many of you know, our Education Committee for the Alaska Black Caucus has been instrumental in driving positive change within our community, fostering educational opportunities, and advocating equitable access to resources. We greatly appreciate the contributions of our outgoing co-chair, Jessica Cook, who has played a crucial role in advancing the committee’s mission and provided valuable insights into moving forward within the initiative.

Jacki Oliver, program manager for the Alaska Black Caucus, has been named committee chair until the vacancy is filled. Jacki brings a wealth of mental health and program management background, having worked on the ABC 2022 COVID-19 Grant as a Program Assistant. Her prior experience in an Executive level role at a University level gives her a keen sense of the educational hierarchy and what it means to serve students.

Jacki led the committee’s second meeting of 2024 beside ABC Program Assistant Synclaire Butler, and together, the team welcomed guest speaker Michele Yatchmeneff, Executive Director for Alaska Native Education and Outreach and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering. Michele offered Jacki or representatives to speak at an ANSEP morning meeting that consisted of program participants who could benefit from the upcoming events for Black History Month and the youth engagement and civic engagement activities that could impact their overall involvement. Bettye Davis Youth Summit, Bettye Davis African American Summit, UAA/ABC Mixer, and many more engagements during BHM.

Divine Nine Black Greek Education and Where We Are Now is being discussed as the first initial panel.