This is Karen Hunter and welcome to the hub. I thought I would begin my remarks this morning by making a confession and that is I have

never been to the state of Alabama before.

Despite growing up in nearby Florida and having a mother, aunt and uncle who are all proud graduates of Tuskegee University.

Despite having a godmother who lives in Birmingham and is here with me today,

I have to admit, this is my very first time visiting this great state.

Now I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I am not

unfamiliar with this community or what has happened here. I want to assure you that

I actually do know a lot about Alabama and in particular about its critical

connection to the civil rights struggles of African Americans during the 1950s and 1960s.

So while I've not been to Alabama, I can quite confidently say that I know Alabama.

And if you knew my parents you would understand why. You see my parents are

African Americans who grew up in South Florida at a time of racial segregation.

They came of age during the civil rights movement

and they chose to enter the field of education

after graduating from historically black colleges and universities in the late 1960s.

They were public school teachers when I was born.

Now these facts are important to know because my parents were deeply committed to my education,

knowledge, and well-being when I was a child.

And it is also quite clear that my parents viewed my entry into this world in September of 1970

as a genuine opportunity to nurture the long denied American dream.

Good everything, Dr. Carter might be a good place to start.

Happy, happy in class with car, happy everything. Good morning to you.

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