ALA Announces Recipients of the 2026 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows Grant

The American Library Association (ALA) has selected three recipients as the 2026 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood (LAGW) Fellows. The recipients will receive a stipend totaling $2,500 to offset the cost of attending the 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Recipients of this year’s fellowship program include the following people:

Timar Davis

Davis has served as Library Director at four public library systems—Mount Vernon Public Library (NY), Edison Public Library (NJ), Wyandanch Public Library (NY), and Orange Public Library (NJ), and as an adjunct instructor and librarian at Essex County College (NJ) for 17 years. His work has consistently merged librarianship with civic engagement, equity, and professional leadership, emphasizing the transformative role of governance in shaping library institutions and the communities they serve.

The fellowship will provide Davis with the opportunity to deepen his understanding of American Library Association (ALA) governance, including parliamentary procedure, Council proceedings, and strategic decision-making. He plans to leverage this knowledge to strengthen leadership practices, promote equity and inclusivity, and enhance library advocacy at both the institutional and national levels.

Beyond administrative leadership, Davis has been actively involved in mentoring, teaching, and professional development. He has taught library instruction and criminal justice, emphasizing libraries’ central role in lifelong learning. His expertise with technology platforms such as EBSCOhost, ProQuest, and Nexis highlights his commitment to ensuring equitable access to information and services for all communities.

Davis has also worked extensively in civic governance and community organizing in Newark, NJ, bringing a unique perspective to the intersection of library governance and public service. Through the fellowship, he aims to model inclusive leadership practices that respond to evolving community demographics, digital transformation, and the future of library advocacy.

“Receiving the Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellowship is a meaningful step in my journey to bridge professional librarianship with public governance,” said Davis. “I look forward to bringing the insights and strategies gained through this fellowship back to my colleagues, institutions, and the communities we serve.”

Rhonda Evans

Evans has been actively involved in ALA throughout her career, beginning as a 2013 ALA Spectrum Scholar, an honor that helped shape her professional trajectory. Over the past decade, she has contributed extensively to ALA governance, serving as Chair of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table, a member of the Intellectual Freedom Committee, and an active participant in the Black Caucus of ALA. She also gained foundational governance experience through the Emerging Leaders Program, which inspired further committee and roundtable service.

Evans draws inspiration from trailblazing figures in the library profession, including Catherine Latimer, the first Black librarian hired at the New York Public Library, who courageously advocated against segregation within ALA in 1936, and Dr. Carla Hayden, former ALA President and Librarian of Congress, whose example of principled leadership has guided Evans throughout her career. These influences have motivated her to advance equity, inclusion, and ethical leadership within library governance.

Through the Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows Program, Evans will receive mentorship and guidance to navigate ALA governance more effectively and contribute at the highest levels of the Association. She intends to leverage this experience to strengthen ALA’s mission and values, while modeling inclusive and engaged leadership for colleagues and the next generation of library professionals.

“The fellowship provides an unparalleled opportunity to deepen my service within ALA and continue advocating for equity, access, and professional leadership,” Evans said. “I am committed to bringing engagement, insight, and enthusiasm to the program and to applying what I learn to benefit the profession and the communities we serve.”

Jahala Simuel

Simuel holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from St. Augustine’s University, as well as a master’s in Information Science and a Master of Library Science from North Carolina Central University. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing library services and supporting students, educators, and communities through effective leadership.

Through the fellowship, Simuel will gain in-depth knowledge of ALA governance, including organizational structure, decision-making processes, and pathways for leadership. This experience will empower her to engage more effectively in the ALA Council and other leadership opportunities, shaping policies and initiatives that impact libraries nationwide. She will also bring valuable insights back to her own library, enhancing advocacy, strategic planning, and professional development initiatives.

The program provides mentorship and networking opportunities with experienced library leaders and emerging professionals. Simuel intends to leverage these connections to foster collaboration, guidance, and ongoing engagement in ALA leadership, ensuring her continued contribution to the growth and advancement of the library profession.

“This fellowship represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen my professional growth and leadership within ALA,” said Simuel. “I look forward to learning from experienced mentors, connecting with peers across the country, and bringing back strategies and insights that will benefit my students, colleagues, and community.”

The LAGW Fellowship was conceived in honor of Lois Ann Gregory-Wood, who worked at ALA for fifty years, and for 27 of those years, served as the ALA Council Secretariat. For thousands of ALA members, she was the face of ALA Council and governance. After 50 years of service to ALA, Gregory-Wood retired in 2018. The Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows Program is a mid-career conference scholarship program which celebrates Gregory-Wood’s leadership and accomplishments and also seeks to encourage understanding and participation in the ALA governance processes.

For more information on the Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows Program, visit the award page.

The Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellowship is administered by the ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR).