Alumni Spotlight: Lisa McNair!

We are excited to feature Lisa McNair as our first Alumni Spotlight honoree for the 2023-2024 school year! Lisa is a Birmingham native and a graduate of Advent Episcopal School. She is the eldest living sister of Denise McNair, one of the four girls killed in the infamous 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Lisa is the author of Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew. In her book, Lisa writes a series of letters to her sister in which she considers her personal and family history that has come to pass since Denise’s death. She also includes a series of photographs (including one from Advent) throughout the book.

In addition to her work as an author, Lisa also a national public speaker. She says, “It Is my desire to share with others how we were learning to fight to live for love instead of hate despite how others were telling us not to do so. Love is the only way for understanding, reconciliation, and peace in the world in which we live.”

We were delighted to welcome Lisa back to Advent last month, when she came to talk to our 8th graders as they embarked on their DiscoverBHAM year-long study. Students deeply appreciated Ms. McNair's unique perspective as an Advent alumna growing up as a part of a family whose story is instrumental in the Civil Right movement. She shared with students her love of her years at Advent and her journey of self-discovery after leaving this school. Ms. McNair encouraged our students to understand the myriad of stories the city of Birmingham holds and to use this opportunity to not only learn about their city but also to learn about themselves.

Thank you Lisa for being a valued part of the Advent community and sharing your gifts with us!