During her first year working at Estes Hill Elementary, Turquoise Parker noticed that in-state universities were being promoted to students.

She saw signs that advertised Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and East Carolina University, among others.

But conspicuously absent was her own alma mater, N.C. Central University, less than 10 miles from Estes Hills’ front entrance.

Also absent were the nine other historically black colleges and universities throughout the state.

Parker found this puzzling because North Carolina has the most historically black schools of any state.

That’s when Parker began to formulate an idea, brainstorming ways to raise awareness about historically black schools.

“With our district focus being equity and excellence, we can’t possibly not have a historically black college (advertised),” Parker said.

So Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week was born at Estes Hills. read more…