Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Spring 2023 9 Keena Day (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Keena Day is a literacy specialist, writer, and poet. She is currently the Vice President of Curriculum and Assessment for DSST Public Schools, the largest open enrollment STEM charter secondary system in Colorado. She has been an educator for 20 years; she leads school leadership and school organizations to dismantle inequitable school and district practices and policies in order to improve educational achievement in areas including culturally and historically relevant pedagogy, instructional design for diversity, equity, inclusion, equity audits, leadership coaching, data analysis, systematic programming implementation, and literacy best practices. Keena is also a 20 year member of Sigma Alpha Iota, having been initiated at Kappa Iota Chapter at Tennessee State University in 2003. She has served in various capacities including as province officer, regional officer, and several chapter roles prior to her appointment as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Keena has been awarded the Sword of Honor, Ruby Sword of Honor, and Rose of Honor. Keena is also a freelance writer and journalist whose writing has been included in several media outlets such as the Tennessee Tribune, Boardhawk, and My Black Colorado Magazine. She is the author of two books and a contributing author for two best selling books that were released in 2021: e HBCU Experience: Band Alumni Edition, and the Black Studies collegiate textbook Africana Paradigms, Practices, and Literary Texts. She has been a frequent guest on podcasts and radio shows including EdCuration and Teach Colorado and has been a speaker at conferences focused on Black women's empowerment, education, and literacy instruction. Keena is an avid community advocate serving as a Commissioner on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission for the City of Commerce City, CO, and serves on several boards including the Colorado Black Women for Political Action. Stephanie Riley, Multimedia Resources Stephanie Riley is the new Multimedia Technology Director for Sigma Alpha Iota. Stephanie was initiated by the Gamma Delta Chapter at SUNY Potsdam, Crane School of Music, in Potsdam, NY, where she served as Music Leader, Editor, and President. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Music in Music Education degrees, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Choral Conducting. She is currently affiliated with the Boston Alumnae Chapter, where she has served as President, Secretary, Editor, and most recently VP Ritual. She is a regular contributor to the Fraternity journal, PAN PIPES, has hosted a number of SAI 's 1903 Podcast episodes, directed the Strolling SAIs at the 50th National Convention, and has received the Sword of Honor. Stephanie is an 8-12th grade Choral Music Educator at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School in Cape Cod, MA, where she teaches Choir, Music Technology, AP and Intro to Music eory, Beginning Piano, and the History of Rock and Roll. She is also on the Music Education Faculty at e Longy School of Music and Choir Director at First Congregational Church in Chatham, MA. She is actively involved at the state music education level, currently serving as state Treasurer and the All-State Conference Committee Chair. She is fortunate to share her expertise as a music educator on the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Educator Advisory Council where she helps write curriculum for their school community concerts and sings for the symphony as a member of the auditioned Tanglewood Festival Chorus. Stephanie's greatest joys in life are her husband, Patrick, and their four children-Moira, Marnie, Myles, and Micah. Ali Brandecker, Province Day Ali was initiated by the Delta Alpha Chapter at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Aer graduation, Ali affiliated with the Philadelphia and then the Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapters. In Colorado, Ali served as Province Day Committee Head and President. In Philadelphia, her current alumnae chapter affiliation, Ali has served as VP Ritual and Collegiate Liaison. She has also been actively involved in SAI Philanthropies, Inc., serving on the Music Business and Technology Scholarship Committee. For her dedication and service to the Fraternity, Ali is the recipient of the Sword of Honor. Ali is currently a first-grade teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District in Pennsylvania. She is also a colorguard instructor and recently marched the 2022 DCA season with Fusion Core. She is also a dog mom to an 11-year-old Westie Pekingese. SAI Philanries, Inc. To contact a Director, visit: https://www.sai-national.org/about-sai/officers-and-directors/national-fraternity-directors.html

• Cover