Dr. Lisa L. Daniels

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.