Austin ISD leaders were selected to the inaugural class of Austin’s African American Leadership Institute. Dr. Tamey Williams-Hill and Dinita Caldwell were among 38 Austin professionals selected into this year’s institute. The program begins on April 9.

The African American Leadership Institute is designed to enhance civic awareness and leadership opportunities to lead to changes in practices and policies in Central Texas. The program is being launched with support and guidance from Leadership Austin and other advisors. 

Participants will have opportunities to make connections that could lead to greater equity, opportunity and a higher quality of life for all of Austin’s citizens. It will also engage corporations to explore policy, process, and cultural aspects that can improve their ability to attract, equip, retain and promote more Black professionals. 

Dr. Tamey Williams-Hill is AISD’s Project Director and Equity and Inclusion Specialist for the Office of Equity. She has served as a secondary teacher, campus administrator, and central office administrator for the past 18 years. She holds a Master’s in Social Work, and Dr. Williams-Hill has always viewed and practiced teaching and educational leadership through the lens of equity.

Austin ISD awarded her the Darlene Westbrook Leadership in Education Award for her work with students and families. Dr. Williams-Hill serves as a guest lecturer for two local universities on the topics of human resources, teacher rights and responsibilities, and doctoral research methodologies. Dr. Williams-Hill has presented at local, state, national, and international education conferences and serves on several civic, education, and corporate board of directors as both a member and chairperson.

"Dr. Williams-Hill has been a beacon of excellence in both Austin ISD and the community at large," said AISD Equity Officer Dr. Stephanie Hawley about Dr. Williams-Hill's designation. "Her commitment to equity, advocacy, and leadership is unparalleled and serves as the foundation for her work. She is certainly an asset to this inaugural cohort of fellows for the African American Leadership Institute."

"As a member of the AISD Office of Equity, Dr. Williams-Hill has dedicated her energy to enhancing the relationship between the district and the community we serve, especially communities of color," said Dr. Joseph Allen the district's director of equity, leadership, and planning. "Her drive to advocate for our students and families of color, and other marginalized identities, makes her an invaluable asset to the Office of Equity, AISD, and central Texas."

Dr. Williams-Hill received her Ph.D. in school improvement from Texas State University. Dr. Williams-Hill has been a Clark Scholar Nominee and is a Barbara L. Jackson Scholar. She holds secondary English, English as a second-language, principal, and superintendent certifications.

At the forefront of developing equitable procurement practices in contracting for underrepresented diverse business enterprises, and carving a path toward equality for all, you will find Dinita Caldwell. Caldwell has successfully steered a career track leading to her current role as AISD’s director of the Historically Underutilized Business Program department.

Prior to joining AISD in January 2020, she served as the director of supplier diversity for Visa, where she developed global initiatives and strategies to create access and opportunity for business enterprises certified as minority-owned, women-owned, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-owned and other diverse categories. 

An intrinsic leader and mentor, Dinita has served in previous roles as Vice President of Black Professional Alliance, Economic Development Chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Austin Alumnae Chapter, President of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials Austin Chapter, Mason Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, Founder/ President of the Austin Area Urban League Young Professionals, East Austin Registration Chair for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and current Board member of Abundant Youth Empowerment.

“We are honored to congratulate Dinita Caldwell on her selection as a fellow in the inaugural African American Leadership Institute. She is an impressive leader, deserving of the AALI appointment," said Acting Chief Operations Officer Matias Segura.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication with a specialization in public relations from Michigan State University and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Huston-Tillotson University. 

About the Austin ISD Office of Equity
The Office of Equity was established in June 2019 with the hiring of an equity officer. The Office of Equity works to cultivate Austin ISD’s Equity Ecosystem. The Mission of the office is to support the district in consistent and equitable resource allocation, evaluation, development and implementation of tools, policies and practices to achieve racial and social equity for students, teachers, staff and the community, regardless of race, national origin, ability, socioeconomic status, language, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity & expression, and other human differences. 

About the Austin ISD HUB Program Department
The HUB department is committed to advancing equity in contracting, in which minority and women-owned firms can compete fairly and participate in construction-related, bond-funded projects and throughout all phases of the procurement process. 

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