Alvin Herring

"We are living in the most exciting time in human history! If we are willing to do the work, make the sacrifices and meet the challenges we could usher in a new era of peace, justice and true community."

These are the words that Alvin has been sharing with audiences on college and high school campuses, in corporate boardrooms and at grass root gatherings all across the country for more than two decades. Many have described him as a "messenger" of hope and inspiration; others see him as one of the nation's most effective advocates for diversity and community. Alvin sees himself as an impassioned voice, calling for a radical new conversation on inclusion, cultural awareness and community.

Alvin is the CEO and Lead Facilitator of Side By Side, a cutting edge diversity and community building company that specializes in work with young people on college, university and high school campuses across the country.  Alvin brings over 20 years of experience as a trainer and consultant in the areas of leadership development, community building/organizing, diversity, executive coaching and strategic planning.  He marries that with many years of successful leadership, teaching and mentoring in higher and secondary education.

Alvin is the former Chief Operating Officer of the National Coalition Building Institute, Washington D.C., where he led diversity and leadership training programs for thousands of participants across the country and internationally.  Most recently Alvin was the Executive Director of the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of Louisville, where he also served as Assistant Vice President of Campus Life. 

At Side By Side, Alvin has worked with a wide array of clients from Fortune 500 executives to grass roots community activists, from kindergarten students to senior citizens.  Alvin is guided by the principals of community activism, leads with a real belief in change and inspires hope in the possibility of people organized for the good of the planet and the good of humanity.

Alvin is a sought after key-note and commencement speaker who moves audiences with his passion for community and his clarion message of hope.  Alvin is also an accomplished poet who has penned one book: "Brown Blossoms, Poemstories for a Loved People.

Through Side By Side, Alvin has been leading workshops and training seminars that have had a tremendous impact on students, educators, administrators and policy makers. He is often called upon to lead one of these Side By Side presentations:

• 1Campus!TM - A thoughtful, fast-paced experiential approach to the serious work of diversity and community building. 1Campus!TM is designed to get participants moving and talking through creative exercises and thoughtful encounters. Participants come away with useful and practical skills that they can apply to help build a better relationships and a better campus community.

• Ubuntu=The Power of Community TM- A powerful and intensive, two-day training workshop designed for student leaders and their advisors who want to learn the community building skills needed to transform their campus. Groups receive over 14 hours of training, skill building and practice.

• Organizing To Defeat RacismTM - At the heart of building a community of justice, equality and opportunity on America's campuses is the tough work of defeating racism. This intensive two-day training retreat, for campus and community leaders, teaches the skills that are useful in building an effective anti-racist movement on campus.

• Students Leading Change! TM - Students on high school, college and university campuses care about the world around them; the challenge is they often lack the skills and the tools to turn that passion into action. Our newest training workshop, Students Leading Change! - inspired by feedback from students from across the country - helps students learn the basics of community organizing and how to apply them to leading change on and off campus.