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On Feb. 11, Gov. Roy Cooper honored Black History Month by recognizing African American education leaders from across the state for their many accomplishments that have helped move North Carolina forward and left a positive impact on students.

“We recognize and celebrate North Carolina’s African American leaders in education, and I am grateful for their contributions to our state,” said Cooper on Feb. 11. “Their leadership is particularly important right now as we work to improve diversity in the teaching profession to help our students succeed.”

Earlier this month, Governor Cooper proclaimed February as Black History Month in North Carolina.

The Feb. 11 event was hosted by the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Attendees included Susi H. Hamilton, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, Chair, N.C. African American Heritage Commission; and Tracey Burns, Asst. Secretary for Diversity and Cultural Inclusion, DNCR.

In December of 2019, Cooper announced a Task Force focused on equity and inclusion in education. At the DRIVE Summit: Developing a Representative and Inclusive Vision for Education, Cooper highlighted the importance of having a diverse teacher workforce and the positive impacts on students’ performance in the classroom.

Honorees at the event numbered 43.

Oliver Holley, Superintendent of Tyrrell County Schools and a member of the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Teacher and State Employee Retirement Commission, was one of the honorees.

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