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Get to know 

Dr. Lisa L. Daniels

A poet with a love for education and policy 

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Dr. Lisa L. Daniels 

 

 Smith College

B.A. Government 

studied Afro-American Studies 

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American University

M.Ed. in Education Policy & Leadership 

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Doctorate (EdD) in

Education Policy and Leadership

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Certified Human Rights Consultant at the  

U.S. Institute for Diplomacy and Human Rights 

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Academic Fitness Coach 

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Motivational Speaker

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About

About

MY BACKGROUND

Dr. Lisa L. Daniels is a seasoned educator, researcher, and advocate for equitable education policy with over a decade of leadership in teaching, curriculum development, and community engagement. As a graduate of American University’s School of Education, she holds an Ed.D. in Education Policy and Leadership. Her research focuses on culturally responsive education and the integration of historic landmarks—such as the Birmingham Civil Rights and Freedom Riders National Monuments—into classroom practice and public memory.

 

Dr. Lisa currently serves on staff at the UNCF Birmingham Office, where she supports initiatives to expand access to higher education for underrepresented students. Her work aligns with UNCF’s mission to empower the next generation of leaders through scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy.

 

Her professional journey includes teaching at The Calhoun School, YES Prep Public Schools, KIPP Houston High School, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has also served as a Teacher Ranger with the National Park Service, helping connect history, education, and civic identity. Her curriculum design and data-driven instruction have consistently advanced student outcomes and engagement across diverse learning environments.

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Dr. Lisa is President of Support the Vote, Alabama! and Chair of the Bessemer Coalition for Black History, where she leads voter education, civic engagement, and historical preservation initiatives. She collaborates with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) on Community Remembrance Projects to address the legacy of racial injustice in Alabama and beyond.

A former Congressional intern with Rep. Artur Davis and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Dr. Lisa is deeply committed to policy reform and empowering historically marginalized communities. She is a proud graduate of Bessemer City Schools and Smith College, and is actively involved in several civic and professional organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), National Hook-Up of Black Women (NHBW), the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

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Dr. Lisa is a Gates Millennium Scholar, a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, and the 2022 recipient of The Altamont School’s James C. Barton Faculty Leadership Award. As Immediate Past President of the Birmingham Metropolitan Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., and advisor to the UNCF Young Professionals (YPAC), she has led programs centering mentorship, scholarships, and service.

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An accomplished writer and speaker, Dr. Lisa’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Smith Alumnae Quarterly, and numerous community forums. She is a Certified Human Rights Consultant and holds teaching certifications in both Alabama and Texas.

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The daughter of Rev. James Daniels, Jr. and Mrs. Ava R. Daniels, Dr. Lisa continues her family’s legacy of faith, service, and transformational leadership. Her work bridges education, history, and social justice—amplifying voices and building stronger communities through advocacy and action.

Education & Experience

Education

Experience

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

WHERE I’VE WORKED

2004-2008

Jess Lanier High School - Top Ten 

Gates Millennium Scholar

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2008-2012

Smith College 

Government & Afro-American Studies

Dean's List 

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow 

Urban Education Fellow 

Black Students' Alliance

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

2011

University of Oxford, Trinity College

Shakespeare & Short Story Writing

2022

American University 

Master's in Education, Policy, and Leadership

2022

Human Rights Consultant Certification 

U.S. Institute for Diplomacy and Human Rights

2025

American University 

EdD in Education, Policy, and Leadership

2009-2010

Alabama -District 7

Congressional Black Caucus 

2012-2014

Teach for America, Corps Member 

American & British Literature Teacher 

2014-2017 

YES Prep Brays Oaks 

United States History Teacher 

Introduction to Rhetoric & Composition Teacher 

Choir Teacher

2017- 2018

KIPP Houston High School 

United States History Teacher 

2018-2022

The Altamont School

Civics & Government Teacher 

2022-2023

Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School

9th & 10th Grade History Teacher 

2023-Present 

UNCF Birmingham Office 

Assistant

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*Accepting independent contracts related to my field of expertise

Content and Skills 

WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE

Certified Teaching Skills in Public & Charter Schools

Content Writing & Editing

Microsoft and Mac Programs 

Google Drive

Email Marketing

Social Media Marketing & Management

Web Design

Video Production 

Political Commentator 

Fundraising & Event Planning

Skills & Languages
Awards & Interests

Awards

WHERE I SHINE

  • Gates Millennium Scholar, Jess Lanier High School

  • Urban Education Fellow, Smith College

  • Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, Smith College

  • James C. Barton Faculty/Staff Leadership Award, The Altamont School

Interests

Beyond the Day to Day

  • Investigative Journalism 

  • Photography

  • Travel

  • Poetry

  • Baking Cupcakes 

  • Civil Rights Advocacy

Academic Fitness Coach

Key Support Areas Include: 

  • Time Management 

  • College and Scholarship Application 

  • Interview Readiness 

  • History 

  • English 

Motivational Speaker 

Contact me for a consultation to see if I am the right person for you. There is a $50 non-refundable fee to save the date upon confirmation and an additional charge for travel/lodging as necessary. If your group is not able to pay the full portion, please reach out to me anyway and we'll find a sponsor or develop a payment plan. 

Video Editing and Web Design

Contact me for a consultation to see how I can fulfill your video editing, web design, and analytic support. Here is a link to the Marvel City Productions youtube and note that I can develop promotional and documentary style videos to support your business. 

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Video Editing Experience Includes:

  • Educational Consultants

  • Sermons/Churches

  • Black History

  • Historical Moments

  • Community Events

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