Dr. Johnny Bannister is a seasoned optometrist and educator with more than three decades of experience in clinical care, military service, and academic instruction. His professional focus centers on family optometry, with specialized expertise in glaucoma management, traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related vision care, visual training, low vision rehabilitation, contact lenses, and therapeutic drug treatment.
A retired U.S. Air Force Officer, Dr. Bannister held multiple leadership roles, including Chief of Optometry Clinics in the United States, England, and Japan. He played a pivotal role in advancing optometric drug therapy within both military systems and the State of Alabama, helping shape modern standards of care. His military service also included responsibilities in quality assurance, disaster response leadership, and equal opportunity training.
Following his military career, Dr. Bannister has continued his service as a Staff Optometrist with the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System, where he provided comprehensive eye care to veterans for nearly two decades and was recognized “Teacher of the Year” in 2012. He was also the first full-time optometrist on the Montgomery Campus in recent history.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Bannister has contributed to the advancement of the profession through teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and the New England College of Optometry. He is an active member of the National Optometric Association and remains committed to mentoring, educating, and expanding access to quality vision care.
Dr. Bannister holds a Doctor of Optometry Degree and a Bachelor of Arts in in Physiological Optics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science with honors from Tuskegee Institute.
Today, he continues to share his expertise, support, professional development, and contribute to organizations dedicated to advancing eye care and community health.
Dr. Evelyn White Colley is a distinguished educator, academic leader, and community servant whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing education and strengthening communities. Born and educated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she began her academic journey at Tuskegee Institute, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biological Science through scholarship and fellowship support. She later earned her doctorate in Science Education from Auburn University.
Dr. Colley has built an extensive career in higher education, teaching biology at the collegiate level and achieving the rank of full professor. Her leadership experience spans several historically significant institutions, including Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, Tennessee State University, Jackson State University, and Talladega College. Throughout her career, she has held key administrative roles such as Department Chair, Associate Dean, Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Provost—positions through which she has shaped academic programs, strengthened institutional effectiveness, and supported student success.
A recognized leader in educational advancement, Dr. Colley has successfully secured numerous grants from federal and state agencies as well as private foundations, supporting innovative programs in science and education. Her expertise has also been sought at the national level, serving as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, and state departments of education in Mississippi and Alabama.
Beyond academia, Dr. Colley is deeply committed to community engagement and service. She has served on advisory boards, including the YMCA in Jackson, Mississippi, and continues to give back as a volunteer chaplain at Jackson Hospital. She is also an active member of the Montgomery City of Refuge, where she faithfully served as Superintendent of Sunday School for nine years.
In addition to her academic and community work, Dr. Colley is the founder of Innovative Instruction and Consulting Company, through which she continues to support educational excellence and organizational development.
In recognition of her lifelong contributions to education and service, Dr. Colley was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Joseph R. Biden on January 28, 2024.
Dr. Colley’s career stands as a testament to leadership, scholarship, and a deep commitment to empowering individuals and communities through education.
Dr. Sandra Staton-Taiwo is an educator, scholar, and published poet whose work centers on African American literature, educational equity, and student development. She earned her Ph.D. in African American Literature from Howard University in 2001, following earlier academic training in secondary English education and a master’s degree in technical and professional communication.
Before transitioning into full-time academia, Dr. Staton-Taiwo applied her expertise in professional communication within federal contracting, supporting agencies such as the IRS, HUD, and ATF. She began her collegiate teaching career in 2002 and has served on the faculties of Gettysburg College, Penn State York, and Alabama State University, where she taught from 2012 to 2020.
A respected voice in literary scholarship, Dr. Staton-Taiwo has published essays on faculty of color at Predominantly White Institutions, as well as on the works of W. E. B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes. Her award-winning poetry collection, Broad Sympathies in a Narrow World: The Legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois (Wayne State University Press, 2018), received the prestigious Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award and reflects her deep engagement with Du Bois’s intellectual and personal legacy.
Returning to her roots in secondary education, Dr. Staton-Taiwo now teaches high school English, where she is committed to preparing students for life beyond graduation. She previously taught at Park Crossing High School and currently serves at McIntyre Comprehensive Academy, where she fosters academic growth, resilience, and a sense of purpose among her students.
Originally from Greenville, North Carolina, Dr. Staton-Taiwo now resides in Montgomery, Alabama, with her two daughters. Her work continues to bridge scholarship, education, and community impact, inspiring the next generation of learners and leaders.
Ms. Nakeema Moss
Mr. Kenneth Davis
Mr. Ralph Besteder
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