From the Classroom to the Capitol with Rep. Ontario Tillman | Ep. 5 The Advocates Chair

In this inspiring episode, Neonta Williams, host of The Advocates Chair and Executive Director of Black Alabamians for Education, sits down with State Representative Ontario Tillman (District 56) for an authentic, energetic conversation about leadership, advocacy, and education in Alabama.Rep. Tillman shares his powerful journey from being raised by a civic-minded grandmother in Bessemer to becoming a special education teacher, coach, and now legislator. He discusses how those experiences shape his work today—championing bills that improve teacher pay, support students with disabilities, and revitalize underserved communities.Together, Neonta and Rep. Tillman dive into:🏫 How classroom experience fuels education policy💰 The fight to make teacher pay more equitable and competitive♿ The importance of recognizing invisible disabilities in state IDs🌆 His vision for redeveloping communities through brownfield revitalization⚖️ Why advocacy and accountability must go hand in handRep. Tillman’s message is clear: public service begins with listening to the people you represent — and leadership means standing up for them every day.🎧 Tune in to hear how he’s turning classroom compassion into legislative action, and why his grandmother’s legacy still drives his mission today.