Media representatives are invited to cover the announcement of the release of a special report by the Center for Civil Rights of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law next week.
Media representatives are invited to cover the announcement of the release of a special report by the Center for Civil Rights of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law next week.
Monday (May 9)
10 a.m.
Historic Halifax County Courthouse
10 N. King St., Halifax
Mark Dorosin, the center’s managing attorney, will present an overview of “‘Unless our Children Begin to Learn Together…’ – The State of Education in Halifax County, N.C.” Dorosin’s overview will be followed by remarks from several Halifax County leaders, who include:
- Angela Bryant, District 7 representative, N.C. House of Representatives;
- James Pierce, chair, Halifax County Board of Commissioners;
- Julia M. Meacham, mayor, Town of Weldon;
- Gary Grant, executive director, Concerned Citizens of Tillery;
- David Harvey, president, Halifax County NAACP; and
- Margaret Parrish, community advocate, The Committee to Save Education in Halifax County.
Background: The report grew out of the center’s work with several local community organizations and education advocates. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the history, educational effects and legal implications of maintaining three separate schools districts in one county: Halifax County Public Schools, Weldon City Schools and Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. These three school districts remain among the most segregated in the state.
News conference: Media representatives who plan to attend the news conference should RSVP by Friday (May 6) to Adrienne M. B. Davis at (919) 843-3921 or civilrights@unc.edu
The news conference will be held outside on the courthouse steps. If it rains, the event will be held inside the courthouse. Copies of the report will be available at the news conference, along with a news release. The report’s executive summary will be available later today at www.law.unc.edu/centers/civilrights, and the complete report will be posted there May 9.
Directions: From I-95 North, take Exit 160 and turn right onto N.C. 561. Turn left onto U.S. 301, and bear right as it becomes Main Street entering Halifax. Continue on Main Street, which becomes King Street. The Historic Courthouse will be on the left, past the intersection with Pittsylvania Street.
Interviews with speakers: Reporters can request opportunities for post-event interviews by contacting Mark Dorosin, (919) 843-7896 or Elizabeth Haddix, (919) 843-9807, emhaddix@unc.edu.