October 2024 -Â TABSE has a proud history since its organization, when in December 1986, the first meeting was held. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a coalition of African American educators interested in developing strategies to help improve educational opportunities for students and African American students in particular. One of the educators to attend this organizational meeting was Dr. Jerry (Jay) Cummings. He was born in Jenkins, Kentucky, and moved with his family to Dayton, Ohio at the age of four.
Jay graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He enrolled at Cleveland State University to earn his Master’s degree in Educational Administration, followed by earning his Ph.D.  degree from The Ohio State University in Educational Leadership.