Affectionately referred to as Mama Alma, Mrs. Watkins has made contributions in our city that have positively affected the lives of many. In her 32 years of educating our children in the Orleans Parish School System, Alma Watkins was a loyal and dedicated early childhood educator. She was particularly interested in efforts to help improve the quality of programs for 4 and 5 year olds. As a result,
she became actively involved with the Kindergarten Chapter of UTNO and served as co-chairperson for four years. During this period, an instructional guide for Kindergarten teachers was developed. Mama Alma’s interest in developing kindergarten children to their fullest potential resulted in the updating of the kindergarten requisition form, and the updating of materials placed in the warehouse. This was done by conducting a needs assessment among Kindergarten teachers. Later, Mama Alma assisted in the planning and implementation of the first Annual City-wide Kindergarten Parents Workshop. She served on the UTNO committee that developed an instructional guide for kindergarten teachers. She helped plan the first citywide Kindergarten Parents Workshop. In 1987, she served on a committee that developed a curriculum guide that would help kindergarten teachers create a quality environment for young children. She also served on a committee that developed a reading readiness program for the instructors. While working at Crocker Elementary she developed a handbook to assist parents who had pupils entering kindergarten for the first time. Many parents who knew her standards and her love for children requested Mrs. Watkins as their child’s teacher. After her retirement she established a scholarship fund at Crocker School. For almost twenty years she gave a deserving student a small monetary gift to acknowledge achievement and academic success. Many recipients of that award have gone on to excel in higher education and credit Mama Alma’s encouragement and love of teaching for their success. In 1990, she made contact with a local early childhood provider to discuss concerns she had for African American children. Mama Alma described an idea, and concept that would embrace African American children. An idea that says children are special and have a meaningful history that is positive and powerful. The Umoja Committee began as a grassroots effort to unite and teach cultural values and self esteem to children and families of our community. For the past twenty two years, The Umoja Committee has invited the families and children of New Orleans to participate and contribute to The Umoja Village at the Celebration of the African American Child. Overview and Mission
National education trends point to the benefit of providing children with experiences which promote self-love and highlight cultural diversity. The Umoja Committee serves the community by providing opportunities which foster and promote an appreciation and knowledge of self which leads to the appreciation and respect of others. Currently the Umoja Committee plans, develops and implements year round activities which involve children and adults. Those activities include: African-centered educational workshops and children’s activities at community events and the annual celebration of the African-American child. As a service to educators and child care providers in the metropolitan area the Umoja Committee offers African-centered educational workshops with the purpose of increasing the awareness and resources of those who work with children. Current information and resources on the needs of African American children and educational solutions to those needs are presented, by Umoja Committee members. has presented workshops for the annual LAEYC Conference, the National Educators for Young Children Conference, and for the public school systems in both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Volunteer and Partnership Base
As a totally volunteer organization our partnerships with other organizations is central to the vision of a healthy community with healthy families and children self actualized with a knowledge and appreciation of themselves and others. It is our partnerships and principles that sustain us. Some of those partners, people and organizations that have donated space, finances, and time over the years include:
City of New Orleans; New Orleans City Council; Former Mayors; Councilpersons James Carter; Cynthia Hedge-Morrell; Jacquline Clarkston; Arnie Fieldko; Parks and Parkway Commission; Greater New Orleans Association for the Education of Young Children; Sheriff Marlin Gusman and Staff; Civil Sheriff Paul Valteau; Treme Community Center; NORD; Agenda for Children; The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond; Ashe Cultural Arts Center; TCA, Inc. HeadStart; Christian Unity; Newcomb Children’s Center; Children’s Hospital CHAPS Program; Guardians of the Flame; Community Book Center; Whole Foods; Men of Nehemiah; Nation of Islam; New Orleans Regional Medicaid Office; Louisiana Children’s Museum; Richard’s Disposal; Lowes; Pyramid Community Parent Resource Center; Families & Friends of Louisiana’s Incorporated Children; Nancy Freeman; Shana Griffin; Rev. Lois DeJean; Roger Watkins; Carolyn Wells; Menhati Kherita; Gwendolyn Richardson; Aletha Strong; Ernest Collins; Karl Washington; Danaê Columbus
We could not list all of the volunteers who have worked over the years to make our events happen. Yet we could not exist with out them. The Umoja Committee has a core group of members that have volunteered since the establishment of the organization. They are the following: Avis Teja Carey; Olayeelah Daste; Sabrina Montana; Jamilah Muhammad; Kimberley Richards; Kanika Taylor; Jennifer Turner; Ivan Watkins; Chris Williams; Vera Warren Williams; Adenike. Each of the volunteers have worked professionally in the city of New Orleans as public school teachers; dance instructors; artists; pediatric nursing; and business owners. All of their children, considered the Children of Umoja are shining examples of the impact of Umoja. They have earned degrees in law, robotics and engineering; business and marketing; accounting, journalism, and education. There are thousands of children from our city that have been inspired by the opportunities The Umoja Committee provide. The organization continues to touch the souls of children. It models self worth, unity and family togetherness. Umoja teaches the concept that it “takes a whole village to raise a child”. The celebration operates on the African concept where adults and elders and stewards of all of our children’s future.
