Panelists
Dr. Harold Bailey
Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and attended the University of New Mexico (UNM) on an athletic scholarship. Completed academic requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education (1969); received a UNM fellowship for teachers to complete a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education (1971); received a Doctorate of Philosophy in American Studies from UNM with an emphasis on Education Administration (1975).
Presently Executive Director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs; appointed by Governor Bill Richardson. A former UNM faculty and administrator; past Director of UNM’s Afro- American Studies Program; former Chairman of UNM’s Equal Employment Opportunity Committee; past member of the New Mexico Advisory Committee to The United States Commission on Civil Rights, served as State Education Chairman; State Chairman of the 1st Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission; appointed by former New Mexico Governor Toney Anaya; past State Chairman of the New Mexico Black Studies Consortium; former National Board Member, National Council of Black Studies; a certified Diversity Trainer; former President of the Albuquerque NAACP; and a past Special Education Teacher for the Albuquerque Public Schools System.
During his administration as Executive Director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs, several publications have been developed. A guide book for African American Students in grades 9-12 was published in 2006 called; Accelerating African American Student Achievement in New Mexico Public Schools. The primary purpose of this initiative is to provide a tool for students so they will be proficient when they graduate and able to enter institutions of higher learning. Since African Americans suffer from health disparities, a booklet was developed to inform New Mexicans about health conditions that adversely affect African Americans. The booklet is called African American Health in New Mexico: Social and Economic Factors (2006). The latest publication of the Office of African American Affairs is “Messages to Our Brothers and Sisters (On the Other Side of The Wall)”(2007). This book is a collection of inmate essays. It is an attempt to discourage youth from making poor choices and choosing a life of crime.
Dr. Bailey firmly believes that it will take a collective strategy, developed in partnership with minority groups, to effectively address disparities and inequalities that plague our society.
Hakim Bellamy
Hakim Bellamy is a two-time National Champion in the Poetry Slam scene. He was a member of the 2005 National Poetry Slam Champs Team Albuquerque in his first year of poetry slam, 6 months after his first ever slam, which he also won. The following year he was a member of the 2006 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational Champs Team UNM. One Albuquerque City Championship (2005) and 3 consecutive University of New Mexico LOBOSLAM titles later, Hakim respects the blessing, but could care less about winning poetry slams, as opposed to cultivating creativity. Hence, Hakim is in the process of adding playwrite and actor to his resume. A resume that already includes: freelance journalist, community organizer and social justice advocate. Hakim's poetry and journalism have been published internationally as well as his radio journalism on KUNM 89.9FM out of Albuquerque, NM. He is currently working for the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs and is a board member for Poetic Justice Institute and Black Cowgirl Productions as well. He is most proud of being the Poetry Club coach at South Valley Academy. His poetry has been published in Albuquerque inner-city buses as a winner of the RouteWords Competition (2005). His poetry has been published in the Harwood Anthology (2006), the Earthships Anthology (2007), Sin Fronteras Journal (2008) as well as A Bigger Boat published by UNM Press (2008). In January, Bellamy was recognized as an honorable mention for the University of New Mexico Paul Bartlett Re Peace Prize for his work as a community organizer and journalist.
Lisa Gill
Lisa Gill is the author of Red as a Lotus and Mortar & Pestle and the recipient of a 2007 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Poetry. Her third collection, Caput Nili, a hybrid of poetry, prose, and art, is forthcoming. She lives in Moriarty.
Jewel L. Hall
Jewell Hall is a retired Albuquerque public Schools educator whose career spanned decades in at least three states. In addition to her years as a mathematics and science educator, she found time to organize and lead many community organizations. Mrs. Hall applied her numerous skills as a negotiator, motivator, and strategist to take key leadership roles in community affairs. She skillfully applied this technique and specifically concentrated her efforts to curtailing the school district's dropout rate. She co-founded several nonprofit organizations serving youth and families.
Mrs. Hall holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Grambling University, majoring in Biology, Mathematics, and Chemistry. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. Mrs. Hall has acquired many local, state, and national forms of recognition in various fields. Her professional memberships and community activities include, but are not limited to, Past Chair of Central New Mexico Emeritus Academy Advisory Committee; inducted into New Mexico 2006 Senior Hall of Fame; member National Association of Parliamentarians; member National Association of Black Educators; member Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; Past President, Albuquerque Teachers Federation, representing 5,000 APS teachers; President and Co-Founder, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Multicultural Council, Inc.; Co-Founder, Albuquerque Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Past Member
Margaret Randall
Margaret Randall is a feminist poet, writer, photographer, and social activist who has published more than 80 books. Born in New York City in 1936, she has lived for extended periods in Albuquerque, New York, Seville, Mexico City, Havana, and Managua. Because of the strong anti-imperialist opinions expressed in many of her books, she was ordered deported and forced to wage a five year battle to reclaim her citizenship. With the solidarity of many good people she won her immigration case in 1989. Her books To Change the World: My Life in Cuba is forthcoming in fall 2008, and Their Backs to the Sea is forthcoming in fall 2009.
Jack Trujillo
Jack Trujillo received his MFA from the University of Michigan. He also holds BA degrees in History and Spanish. Jack teaches creative writing and freshman English at the University of New Mexico. He is nearing completion of his novel tentatively titled Dancing with Pancho Villa.
