The Speakers

Edward L. Roby is a native of Austin, Texas. He is a 1960 graduate of L.C. Anderson High School where he played football and was an All District Center. He received his B.S. degree in Physical Education from Texas Southern University. He played football for four years as a two way starter. He was captain of the team for two years and received honors of All SWAC Linebacker and Football Player Displaying Exceptional Leadership Qualities (Four Years). In 1981, he received his Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Texas State University. He served two years in the U.S. Army and was the Youth Athletic Director and received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star, He has also been inducted into three Athletic Halls of Fame; Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, L.C. Anderson High School Hall of Fame and Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

 Retired in 2001 after 37 years in Austin Independent School District (AISD). In AISD, he served as the First Afro-American Assistant Athletic Director of Athletics in AISD, Middle School Athletic Coordinator, Manger of House Park, Manger of Athletic Ware House, Teacher/ Coach (Reagan H.S. Webb J.H. Kealing J.H. and Moody High School), District Physical Education Coordinator, Adapted Physical Education Coordinator, Special Olympic Coordinator, Athletic Trainer Coordinator and Director of the District Coaches Orientation.

Edward is an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church for the past 24 years and a member of a number of service organizations through out the city and state. 

Leroy Bookman III, is a native of Austin, Texas and graduated in 1964 from the original L. C. Anderson High School in Austin. Leroy played football three years for the Yellowjackets. In 1961 he was on the B team when Anderson won its last State Championship in football. In 1962 and 1963 he played on the varsity teams and lettered both years. He played several positions for the Yellowjackets. He was a tailback, played wingback where he caught passes and scored touchdowns, he returned kick offs, was a punter, and occasionally played safety and returned punts. Leroy was offered a football scholarship to Grambling University by assistant coach Julian Spence, who was also a graduate of Anderson High and played professional football in the NFL with several teams including the Houston Oilers. Leroy was inducted into the PVILCA Hall of Fame for football in 2012.

Leroy was one of the first Black employees hired by IBM in 1967 at their manufacturing facility in Austin. Leroy started his career at IBM in manufacturing where he was a manager for several years. Later he was promoted to Human Resources as the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Manager for the IBM Austin site. Leroy retired from IBM, Dell, and the City of Austin after several years in Human Resources as a manager and investigator. Leroy graduated from St. Philips Jr College and St. Edwards University with Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology. Leroy has been married to his wife Rose for fifty-nine years. They have two children, three grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Fire Chief Joel G. Baker, MPA, EFO, CFO, FSCEO, MIFireE

Austin Fire Department

Fire Chief Joel G. Baker began his professional fire service career in 1986 with the City of East Point Fire Department (Georgia). In 1988, he joined the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department where he retired as Fire Chief in February 2018. After retirement, he came to Texas to serve as Fire Chief for the Austin community.

While working in the fire service, Chief Baker earned several degrees. Notably, he holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University and is a graduate of Harvard’s Senior Executive Education program. He is also a designated Executive Fire Officer of the National Fire Academy. He is honored to serve as the President of the Texas Fire Chiefs’ Association in 2025.

Chief Baker served as an Infantryman for the United States Marine Corps from 1980-1985 and as a Navy Hospital Corpsman in the United Stated Navy Reserve from 1988-2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Christine A. Nix, PhD

Sgt., Texas Rangers (Ret., 2004) Co. F., Waco, 

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Dr. Nix began her career in law enforcement in 1979 as a patrol officer with the City of Temple in Temple, Texas. In 1984, Nix graduated from the Texas Department of Public Safety as a State Trooper. She served five and a half years in cities across the State of Texas, and Waco driver's license service. Dr. Nix served five and a half years as the DPS Region Six recruiter. In 1994, she was promoted into the Texas Ranger Division, serving Bosque, Falls, and McLennan counties until her retirement in October 2004.

As a Texas Ranger, she trained as a forensic hypnotist, composite artist, and interviewer/interrogator. Additionally, while serving as a Texas Ranger, Dr. Nix conducted classes for Sexual Assault and Family Violence Investigators, Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness, Crisis Intervention, Hypnosis, and Cognitive Interviews.

Dr. Nix received a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a U.S. Army Reserve second lieutenant in 1977 from Hardin Simmons University. Her pursuit of knowledge continued as she attained the rank of major with twenty-three years of reserve military service, during which she honed her leadership and strategic skills. She furthered her education with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management in 2004. In May 2014, she proudly graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. In the fall of 2005, Dr. Nix was invited to join the faculty of a local institution of higher learning as the full-time criminal justice program professor and coordinator. 

While Dr. Nix has achieved many professional milestones, her proudest accomplishment and title is “mom” to her adult children, Niki and Matthew. As a woman of faith, Dr. Nix's guiding verse that has inspired her military, law enforcement, and academic services is Isaiah 6:8. "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Alexander W. Porter, Attorney (Ret.)

Alexander (Alex) Porter is a native of Austin. He attended Austin’s public schools. Alex is a 1950 graduate of the original L. C. Anderson High School. He attended Tillotson College and then joined the United States Air Force. Alex served as a Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist in the Air Force—where he made the highest score on the certification examination. After the Air Force, he attended and graduated from HustonTillotson College in 1962. He then attended and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. While in Law School, he became the first African American Technologist to work at the Travis County Blood Bank. Upon graduation from the University of Texas Law School, Alex’s work history involved serving as: 

* The first Texas African American Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation / United States Department of Justice, 

* Regional Attorney for the Office of Economic Opportunity (Austin, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania),

 * Regional Administrator for the Family Support Administration / Social Security Administration, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 

* Adjunct Professor and Tennis Coach for the men’s and women’s teams, at Burlington County College in Pemberton, New Jersey (the women’s team was co-conference champions)

* General Counsel for the Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention. 

Alex is currently retired and instead of spending time in court, he spends a lot of time on the courts—playing tennis. He is also actively involved with many professional and community activities: Alex was married to the former Hudie Dukes (deceased) and is the proud father of two daughters, Sharon and Carol. 

Loretta Edelen, Community Engagement Director

Austin Community College

Loretta Edelen has worked at Austin Community College for 43+ years primarily in research, community outreach and engagement that focuses on addressing underserved populations. Edelen has led 14 annual Women’s Empowerment Conferences and Gospel Extravaganzas. She also led ACC’s Foster Care Alumni program for nine years. In 2022, she represented ACC at the Global Citizenship Alliance training in Austria. 

Additionally, Edelen served as an elected Trustee for Austin Independent School District from 1994 – 2002. She earned her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Clark Atlanta University’s first honors program in journalism and political science and her master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan. She is married with three daughters and two grandchildren.

Joyce James dedicated 33 years to public service in the State of Texas. She has a long history of advocacy, innovation, and leadership working in and with systems, institutions, and communities to undo the institutional and structural racism that continues to oppress Black, Indigenous, and people of color. As the first African American to lead the Texas Child Protective Services Program, her testimony was instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 6 making Texas the first State in the Country to pass legislation requiring the agency to address racial disproportionality in the Texas Child Welfare System. 

Under her leadership nationally recognized outcomes were achieved. Ms. James served six years as a Commissioner on the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission on Children, Youth and Families, an appointment made by the Honorable Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson. 

Her recent work with the Austin Police Department and multiple other departments in the City of Austin has earned her recognition as the “Godmother of Equity in Austin” by Austin Woman Magazine. Ms. James is President /CEO of Joyce James Consulting. She is highly sought out as a national expert on addressing systemic racism.

She currently works with multiple systems and institutions representing various disciplines, at the local. state, and national levels. Ms. James is the recipient of multiple local, state and national awards. 

Come join us for a special Juneteenth podcast. You will have the opportunity to hear multiple guests speak about the history and significance of recognizing this important day in US history.