Speaker Series | Village of Promise

Speaker Series provides a stage for national thought leaders to share their insight with the Huntsville community on innovative solutions for addressing generational poverty and overcoming challenges for generations to come.

Former event speakers include:

2011 – Geoffrey Canada, president of the Harlem Children’s Zone
2013 – Dr. Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund
2015 – Mr. Paul Tough, education researcher and author of “How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character”
2017 – Dr. Ruby Payne, educator and author, best known for “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”
2022 – Manny Scott, an author and original Freedom Writer
2023 - Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and NFL player
2024 - Dr. Mae Jemison, Former NASA astronaut, engineer, physician, and educator
2025 - Nate Oats, University of Alabama Head Coach of Men's Basketball

From the classroom to the court, Nate Oats has built a career on hard work, continuous growth, and the power of education. Before becoming the head men’s basketball coach at The University of Alabama, he made his mark as a high school educator and coach, leading Romulus High School to a 100% graduation rate while developing one of the top basketball programs in the region. His commitment to education, effort, and leadership carried over to the college ranks, where he transformed the University at Buffalo into a nationally recognized program, securing multiple MAC titles, NCAA Tournament appearances, and national rankings.

In 2019, Oats took the helm at Alabama, promising an up-tempo, high-scoring style - and he delivered. In his first season, the Crimson Tide led the SEC in multiple offensive categories and ranked among the nation’s best in points and three-pointers. His leadership produced four All-SEC players in 2020 and a nationally ranked recruiting class. At every level, Oats has instilled a culture of maximum effort, continuous learning, and selfless leadership—values
that align perfectly with the mission of powering forward through education. His story is a testament to the impact of mentorship, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence both on and off the court.