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Preschool-to-Prison Pipeline
The preschool-to-prison pipeline is a significant issue, driven by school practices and punitive measures in early childhood, as well as the influence of family, etc. This problem disproportionately affects Black children. Consider how complicit you may have been in contributing to this pipeline. Sessions are recorded. For more insights, you can subscribe to receive taped sessions: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.edwardbell
Dr. Brenda K. Williamson is a passionate educator, and she facilitated higher education students in the Human Sciences and Education departments to build upon culturally appropriate principles and practices for inclusivity with over 35 years of experience. Brenda instilled through her professional services to stretching scholar educators out of their comfort zones reaching higher heights, impacting effective changes for children/students, families, and stakeholders. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in early childhood education.
She served as a task force member for The NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, the NCAEYC Board of Directors serving in the role of Public Policy chair and acknowledged as one of the 2024 Women of Refinement. In addition, the lead founder of the NCAEYC Equity in Early Childhood Education Circle provides a safe, brave space to delve deeper into tough conversations towards equitable changes within educational systems.
Dr. Williamson is the founder of Brenda’s Educational Consultant Services where she conducted professional development training for educators, administrators, families, and community stakeholders on a plethora of topics related to education. She especially enjoyed sharing evidence-based strategies on the elimination and/or reduction of suspension/expulsion of Black preschool age children where she also serves on the NC Coalition for Inclusion, Not Expulsion towards eradicating suspension and expulsion of Black students and facilitates the Resources and Support Task Force.
In 2022, she founded the Black Women Educators of NC which meets annually to inspire, uplift, support, engage in leadership roles, networking, and research. She is a lifetime member of the NAACP and her alumni North Carolina Central University and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Also, her most known quote is “Knowledge is powerful towards being an agent of social justice change through ACTION. Increased knowledge brings increased responsibility.”
Dr. Latarcia Barnes Chair and Tenured Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology. Dr. Latarcia Barnes brings over 30 years of multidisciplinary experience to Livingstone College. Her professional journey is marked by significant roles in therapeutic counseling—specifically within mentally ill inmate populations and nationally piloted juvenile boot camps—as well as service as a high-risk probation and parole officer.
As a department head and tenured educator, she balances administrative leadership with active student mentorship. Dr. Barnes earned her B.S. from UNC-Chapel Hill, her Master of Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in Public Safety with a specialization in Criminal Justice. She further supports the academic community as the NCICU campus coordinator and advisor to the Criminal Justice Club.
Dr. Sonia Sumner serves as a Regional Behavioral Coach with the NC Healthy Social Behaviors Initiative, dedicated to empowering early childhood educators across eastern North Carolina. She provides services in counties in region 2 which are: Craven, Pamlico, Beaufort, Hyde, and Tyrrell, addressing critical topics such as enhancing the social and emotional development of young children and implementing strategies to minimize suspension and expulsion rates in early childhood programs.
She has over 20 years of extensive experience in various roles, including Head Start and Early Head Start teacher, Family Service Worker, an assistant infant and toddler teacher with the family literacy program and preschool teacher. Currently, she is employed with Craven Smart Start CCR&R as one of their behavioral coaches. Dr. Sumner’s expertise extends to higher education, having previously taught early childhood developmental studies as an adjunct professor at the University of Mount Olive and as an instructor at Craven Community College. Her recent research on early childhood educators training and support for addressing challenging behaviors of students exemplifies her dedication to improving preschool education quality.
Her holistic approach emphasizes not only professional development and training but also supporting the mental health needs of educators, fostering strong relationships with parents, and promoting collaboration between early childhood educators and their administration.
Dr. Sumner holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Mount Olive, an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Nova Southeastern University, and a Ph.D. in Education and Organizational Leadership from Liberty University.
Her longstanding commitment to early childhood education is further demonstrated by her 19 years of service with Craven Smart Start CCR&R, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission while continuously pursuing her professional growth.