Voices That Matter

The ASBA “Voices That Matter Campaign” was created to honor voices, emotions and experiences on racial injustice in the United States.
ASBA condemns racism and police brutality against black people. Along with our community, we mourn the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the endless list of black lives lost as a direct result of racism, white supremacy, and systemic oppression.
Black, brown and other underrepresented voices in our schools must be amplified. This campaign is one opportunity to do this and help our staff and members express themselves and heal through these difficult times.

Tadeo A. De La Hoya

Gadsden ESD Board Member/ASBA Yuma County Director

Click "Read More" to view the video.

Nicholas Nordgran-Tellez

Solomon ESD Board Member/ASBA Graham County Director

Click "Read More" to view the video.

Lindsay Love

Chandler USD Board Member/ASBA Black Alliance President

Being the only and the first black woman on the school board in Chandler, Arizona comes with significant challenges and obstacles. By virtue of me...

Jill Humphreys

Gilbert Public Schools Board Member/ASBA Maricopa Co-County Director

One of the strengths of the Arizona School Boards Association is the diversity of our members. We come together—Native American, Latinx, African American, Asian American,...

Devin Del Palacio

Tolleson USHD Board Member/NSBA Black Council Chair

My experience with race and racial injustice is very personal. As a kid, I was taught to behave a certain way when interacting with the...

Torri Anderson

ASBA Executive Board of Director Treasurer

As I watch the social unrest spreading across our communities; it reminds me to focus on putting one of ASBA’s core beliefs into action. “Systemic...

Ann O’Brien

ASBA Executive Board of Director President-Elect

Click "Read More" to view the video.

Linda Lyon

ASBA Executive Board of Director Immediate Past-President

Click "Read More" to view the video.

Steven Chapman

ASBA Executive Board of Director President

Click "Read More" to view the video.

Leigh Jensen

ASBA Governmental Relations Associate

One of my first few days at ASBA was our Legislative Workshop, where a board member from the Navajo Nation told us how some of...

Jolene Hale

ASBA Administrative Assistant

Personal experience with my son has stayed with me and sadly shows me racism is still here today. My son, a young Native American boy...

Tracey Benson

ASBA Associate Executive Director

An intense encounter with an individual after a keynote address on racism by Dr. Neal Lester at ASBA's first Equity Event started a personal and...

Heidi Otero

ASBA Director of Communications

My first experience with social injustice and racism was at six years old. My grandmother was physically assaulted by her neighbor with a metal baton...

Chris Kotterman

ASBA Director of Governmental Relations

I have come to appreciate the value of lived experience. I believe greatly in the power of empathy, and I used to think it was...

Gina (Razo) Moss

ASBA Administrative Assistant

One year over the summer, my family and I drove from Phoenix to San Francisco for a two-week vacation. Along the coast, we stopped at...

Ellen White

ASBA Director of Business & Conference Services

I was shopping at a local Hallmark store when a family of four came in - Mom, Dad and two children. One of the children...

Nikkie Whaley

ASBA Board Support & Training Specialist

“Oh, but not you Nikkie.” Throughout my life, this statement has been uttered to me in haste after a disparaging comment or hurtful generalization about...

Lisa Irish

ASBA AZEdNews Education Reporter

Until I was 30, me and my carry-on luggage were thoroughly searched before each flight. A security officer later said I fit the profile of...

Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams

ASBA Executive Director

“Hello, I’m Sheila Harrison-Williams, the Executive Director of the Arizona School Boards Association. I felt compelled to reach out to you today. I moved to...

Katie Link

ASBA Administrative Assistant

When everyone began posting the black squares for "Blackout Tuesday," I felt conflicted about the right thing to do. I didn’t want to post “because...

Terry Rowles

ASBA Assistant Director Policy Services

When I was a kid and not in school, I helped my dad, Wil, at his various jobs, one of which was cleaning a large,...

David DeCabooter

ASBA Policy Consultant and Staff Attorney

This kind of piggybacks off Steve’s experience witnessing the riots in Watts in 1965, but the most formative memory I have of realizing the injustice...

Renae Watson

ASBA Policy Services Technical Assistant

As a child and teenager in the 60s and 70s, I personally fought against social injustice and civil rights. It’s interesting that I learned more...

Brooke Martinez

ASBA Multimedia Communication Specialist

The social injustice in this country is depressing. I have experienced racism many times throughout my life, whether it’s comments from people assuming I like...

Kristi Sisk

ASBA Executive Assistant to the Executive Director

I experienced something that is very unsettling and sad to me. A few years ago, I had a new neighbor move into the house next...

Steve Highlen

ASBA Executive Search & Senior Policy Consultant

Fifty-five years ago this coming August 14th I was working an evening job about 5 miles south of Watts. The Watts riot was on its...

Julie Bacon

ASBA Leadership Development Specialist

My mom worked as director of education at the only women’s correctional facility in Pennsylvania. I grew up learning about the sentencing disparities between white...