Dear Friends, 

I hope my message finds you and your family healthy and well.

This month we honor the accomplishments of African Americans in every area of endeavor throughout history. This year Governor Cooper recognized North Carolina’s African American leaders and organizations in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for their critical work. Leaders in the STEM field do critical, innovative work focused on helping their communities and we are grateful for all they have done to push North Carolina forward.

Please share our newsletter so your friends and family can stay up to date with the latest news, information, and resources relevant to the Cooper Administration. 

Stephanie Pigues 

Office of the Governor 

The North Carolina General Assembly created the African American Heritage Commission (AAHC) in 2008 to “assist the Secretary of Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African American history, arts, and culture.” With this legislation the AAHC has identified African American heritage practitioners, such as curators, docents, and museum directors, as priority service populations. The AAHC was recognized as a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in 2017, after being housed in the Office of Archives and History and the North Carolina Arts Council. The commission works across the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to achieve the mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting North Carolina’s African American history, art, and culture, for all people.

A Message from Governor Roy Cooper

BE IN THE KNOW

Governor Cooper Honors North Carolina’s Black STEM Leaders During Black History Month

Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper recognized North Carolina’s African American leaders and organizations in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for their critical work.

“North Carolina is a stronger state thanks to the contributions of many talented Black leaders, including those who work in STEM fields and who deserve recognition,” Governor Cooper said. “As we celebrate their achievements, we must also work to break down barriers and recruit the next generation of leaders by ensuring everyone has access to a sound, basic education.”

"In highlighting and celebrating an extraordinary group of Black North Carolinians in STEM, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission joins Governor Roy Cooper and his team in recognizing these outstanding Honorees. The breadth and depth of STEM fields represented by these Honorees demonstrates the lasting impact these Black North Carolinians have made and are making in the areas of science, research, technology, business, education, government, and policy. Their contributions both in the past and in the present have opened the way for future generations to continue this work," said Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, Chair of the NC African American Heritage Commission and Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities at Shaw University.

The NC African American Heritage Commission (NCAAHC), a division of the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, recognizes the honorees of this month in partnership with Governor Cooper. 

On January 7, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 246. This Order creates next steps in the state’s plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and creates economic opportunities for North Carolinians across the state, especially in underserved communities. Executive Order 246 underscores the importance of emphasizing environmental justice and equity in the state’s transition to a clean economy. Recognizing that North Carolina’s STEM fields are strengthened by diversity, the Order directs state agencies to identify strategies to increase workforce diversity in clean energy sectors and to work with employers, schools, colleges and universities—including HBCUs—to expand clean energy youth apprenticeship programs. 

In June 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Orders 145 and 143, which established the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force and the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice. These Task Forces have recommended ways to address the disparities in North Carolina health care and economic institutions for communities of color that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as strategies to make the criminal justice system more just and equitable

Leaders in the STEM field do critical, innovative work focused on helping their communities.

Governor Cooper Encourages NC Families to File Federal Income Taxes to Access Full Benefits of the Child Tax Credit

Families should visit ChildTaxCredit.gov for tools, help filing

With tax season quickly approaching, North Carolina families are encouraged to file their federal income taxes to ensure they access their full, expanded Child Tax Credit, as well as other federal benefits. Many families received about half of their tax credit payments in monthly payments in 2021 but will receive the rest of the money they are owed by filing their federal income taxes this year. The Child Tax Credit is fully refundable, meaning that even families who owe little or no federal tax should still file to get their credits.

“The expanded Child Tax Credit has benefited more than two million children in North Carolina with the monthly payments lifting many of them out of poverty,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We encourage families to file a tax return to make sure they claim their full credits to help them with food, housing and education, and we have resources to help them with filing.”

Feb. 8 is the Child Tax Credit Day of Action, and the Governor’s Office, in collaboration with state and federal agencies, is raising awareness of this important issue and linking families to needed resources. Families can visit ChildTaxCredit.gov to learn more about the Child Tax Credit, find out if they are eligible and receive help with filing taxes.

“The expansion of the Child Tax Credit has already helped many North Carolina families make ends meet,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “The monthly payments have kept children out of poverty and helped families meet basic needs. Ensuring that families receive the full benefits is the next important step to keeping our families safe and well.”

The Child Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that people can receive when they file their federal income tax returns. The Child Tax Credit was increased and expanded in 2021 by the American Rescue Plan, and most families are eligible to receive the credit for their children. For families with children, the 2021 Child Tax Credit is $3,000-$3,600 per child, based on their age. Most people need to file a tax return before April 18, 2022, to receive their full credit this year.

The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities estimates more than 100,000 North Carolina children, including newborns, live in families who are likely to need assistance in claiming the Child Tax Credit. Making sure those families receive the full amount that they are eligible for will provide $337 million to families in North Carolina.

Free resources available to assist with tax preparation include:

Application Window Open for $350M to Expand Internet Access in Rural N.C.

Internet Service Providers encouraged to apply for GREAT Grants by April 4

Qualified internet service providers and electric membership cooperatives providing internet service can now apply for up to $350 million in grants to expand broadband infrastructure in North Carolina and get more people connected to high-speed internet. Funds from the federal American Rescue Plan are being used to provide the largest ever round of Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grants available in North Carolina.

“High-speed internet is critical for North Carolinians to be able to work, learn, run a business or access healthcare,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “We want all communities in our state to have these opportunities and this round of grants is an important step toward closing the digital divide, especially in rural areas.”

The grants are part of Governor Cooper’s plan to give 95% of North Carolina households access to broadband of 100/20 Mbps by expanding access and addressing issues of affordability and digital literacy.

Applications for the spring 2022 award period will be accepted through April 4. An information session for applicants will be held Feb. 10. Additional details can be found at www.ncbroadband.gov/grants/great-grant-federal.

Administered by the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, the GREAT Grant program provides matching grants to broadband providers and electric membership cooperatives that compete for funding to expand access to high-speed internet service to unserved areas of all counties across the state.

“Since the GREAT Grant program launched in 2018, the state has invested nearly $56 million matched by more than $35 million from private investors to connect more than 40,000 households and businesses to broadband,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer James Weaver. “We look forward to expanding those partnerships to extend high-speed internet access to more households in unserved areas.”

For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and the GREAT Grant program, please visit the link below:

Governor Cooper Extends Policy and Provides More Volunteer Hours for State Employees to Provide Support in Schools

Governor Roy Cooper today announced an extension of the policy that allows state employees to use volunteer days to help combat staff shortages in K-12 school districts across the state due to COVID-19. The extension, through April 15, provides an additional 24 hours of Community Service Leave for state employees with supervisor approval to work in North Carolina schools as substitute teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other needed roles – in addition to the standard 24 hours of volunteer leave provided annually.

The policy also continues to allow state employees to keep any compensation provided by the school district through April 15.

“We want to keep students learning safely in the classroom and encourage state employees to serve as substitutes and volunteers and be able to keep any compensation they receive,” said Gov. Cooper. “This extension gives school districts more time to bring in volunteers and gives our generous state employees more opportunities to lend their talents to their local schools.”

Some districts across North Carolina, including the Wake County Public School System, have taken steps to make it easier for state employees to volunteer in the schools, by streamlining the onboarding process and waiving usual fees for training or to cover the cost of background checks. 

“We appreciate the leadership and flexibility of the school districts in simplifying the onboarding process for state employees and welcoming their spirit of volunteerism,” said Barbara Gibson, State Human Resources Director. “We trust this policy extension will lead more state employees to reach out to volunteer in their community, or to meet a need in a nearby district.”

Kristi Day, assistant director of academic standards at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, is on the list to volunteer as a substitute teacher at Willow Springs Elementary School in southern Wake County, where her son is a first grader. On Thursday, she will substitute teach at Fox Road Elementary School in northern Wake County, which needs help staffing its classrooms.

“Our leadership has been great to encourage us to help however possible. We support teachers which in turn supports students and families,” said Day, who served as a classroom teacher in Lincoln and Wilkes counties before joining the state Department of Public Instruction eight years ago. “This is a small thing I can do to help in schools that are having challenges with so many different things.”

Many school districts continue to have a greater need for substitute teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other need areas due to absences from employees who need to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

“We are extremely grateful for state employee volunteers who are willing to make a difference to schools that are struggling due to COVID-related staff shortages,” said Jacqueline Williams, principal at Fox Road Elementary. “Governor Cooper’s decision to make additional volunteer hours available to state employees who wish to serve our schools helps in a direct and meaningful way.”

Today’s decision extends the original January 12 announcement, which temporarily modified the State Human Resources Commission’s Community Service Leave Policy through February 15. The policy ordinarily states that full-time state employees are eligible for 24 hours of paid volunteer leave each calendar year. 

Under the updated policy, state employees are eligible to use an additional 24 hours of Community Service Leave (48 hours total) for time spent being – or training to be – a substitute teacher, substitute teacher’s assistant or other substitute staff at a school or school district. State employees are also eligible to use the usual 24 hours of Community Service Leave for other volunteer activities, regardless of compensation. Such leave may be used by state employees only with supervisor approval and only when it will not interfere with or delay state government operations.

The policy will be effective through April 15, 2022.

NCDOT Accepting Applications for Aviation Career Education Grants

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation is accepting applications from airports for its 2022 Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy Grant Program. 

The program supports aerospace workforce development by providing grants of up to $3,000 per academy to host aerospace and aviation career-focused summer academies for middle and high school students that inspire and engage the next generation of talent. Academies must host a minimum of 30 students. 

Topics can include aviation history, career discovery and planning and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones). Academies should place a priority on exploring high-demand aviation and aerospace careers, such as manned and unmanned aircraft pilots, aircraft technicians, electronics, including coding and programming, avionics, air traffic controllers and engineers. Academies will also explore how students can gain education and credentials through North Carolina’s community college and university programs to pursue those professions.

NCDOT has allocated $24,000 in grant funds for this program. All 72 North Carolina public-use airports eligible for development grant funding from NCDOT are eligible for this program. Airports are encouraged to partner with local educational and nonprofit organizations to apply.

North Carolina’s public airports generate more than $61 billion annually for the state’s economy and provide more than 373,000 jobs. The rapid growth of the aerospace and unmanned aircraft system sectors offers job opportunities for North Carolinians in the aerospace field.

“There is already a tremendous need to develop the workforce in the transportation industry,” said NCDOT Director of Aviation Bobby Walston. “Instilling a passion for aviation and aerospace in our youth will ensure that we develop a strong talent pipeline to sustain and grow this important sector and provide jobs for our people and communities.”

Airports must apply for grants by March 7. For more information, visit connect.ncdot.gov??‹ and search “ACE Academies”.??‹

State Accepting Applications for Grant Funds to Improve Impaired Waters

The Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting proposals for approximately $1.3 million in federal grant money to address the State’s water bodies most impacted by nonpoint pollution.

Through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act (319 Grant Program), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to reduce nonpoint source pollution. North Carolina awards the grant money to qualifying applicants with an approved restoration plan for a water body listed by the State as impaired.

“The 319 Grant Program allows governments and organizations to actively engage in protecting North Carolina’s water resources,” said Richard W. Gannon, Supervisor of DWR’s Nonpoint Source Planning Branch. “Projects that incorporate climate change adaptation or benefit potentially underserved communities are encouraged to apply for this funding.”

Eligible Applicants

State and local governments, interstate and intrastate agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions are eligible to apply for 319 funding. Interested community organizations may partner with an eligible entity to participate.

Required Criteria

To be considered, applications must include an approved watershed restoration plan for a water body named on the 303(d) Impaired Water list as described in the Clean Water Act. Instructions to create a plan and case studies are available on the DEQ website.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted through May 4, 2022. An interagency workgroup will review the proposals and schedule interviews for eligible candidates in June, and awards will be announced in the summer.

DWR reserves the right to wholly fund, partially fund, or not fund any proposal or any component of any Section 319 grant proposal. Availability of grant funds, amounts, and award schedules are conditioned on Congressional Approval of the EPA budget and subsequent allocation to the state of Section 319 funds.

An instructional video is available to help navigate the process.

For a full description of the Program, visit DEQ.nc.gov and subscribe to the NC 319 Listserv to receive updates. For additional questions, contact Rishi Bastakoti at rishi.bastakoti@ncdenr.gov.

BE INVOLVED

HBCU Internships Through the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Students at the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will have the opportunity to learn and earn this summer through a 10-week paid summer internship within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The program will expose, engage and educate students through real-world experience within divisions of NCDNCR. The internships may be at one of the state historic sites, N.C. Symphony, N.C. Art Museum, State Parks, N.C. Aquarium, State Capitol, N.C. Zoo, or another state attraction. Essential components include professional development, leadership training and networking opportunities. Some internship opportunities will be on-site and some will be virtual. The program is a partnership with the state’s HBCUs and the Minority Institution of Higher Education.

Rising juniors, seniors and graduate students may apply. Interested candidates should submit an application, resume, cover letter and transcript to HBCUintern@ncdcr.gov.

Requirements of this internship program:

• Must have a cover letter, transcript and attached resume
• Must have a 2.5 or higher GPA
• Must be a current student attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Minority Institution of Higher Education (MIHE) in the state of North Carolina
• Must work 40 hours per week for 10 weeks this summer and will be paid $15.00 per hour

For additional information contact Eyricka Johnson-Geneus at HBCUintern@ncdcr.gov or visit the link below.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

Application Period Open for NC State Government High School Summer Mentorship Program

High School Girls Interested in Careers in STEM Can Apply Through Feb 28

Fifteen high school sophomore and junior girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math will have the opportunity to participate in a five-week paid internship with North Carolina state government leaders this summer.  

Established in 2019 by the NC Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement, the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program seeks to improve gender inequity by providing college bound girls an opportunity to explore STEM-based careers within state government.

“The gender wage gap is an ongoing disparity not only within North Carolina but around the country,” said Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “Preparing our state’s best and brightest in high-growth and high-earning fields such as STEM careers will help women and more families achieve economic security, reduce poverty and grow the state’s economy.”

Interested students can apply for the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program now through Feb. 28. Program and application information can be found on the NCDOA website. Candidate interviews will occur in mid-March and selected applicants will be notified of placement in April. The mentorship will run weekdays June 29 through August 5.

HBCU Fellow Opportunity

The North Carolina HBCU/MSI Fellows Program offers real work experiences and learning opportunities to individuals who are recent graduates (within 1 to 3 years) and have earned a Bachelor and/or a Master’s degree preferably from one of the ten North Carolina HBCUs and one MSI (Minority Serving Institution). The Fellow serves a two-year commitment in eleven (11) month work cycle within a selected NCDOT business unit.

The purpose of the position is to gain first-hand exposure to the transportation industry, learn new business skills, and further knowledge of field of interest with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In this position, candidates will have the opportunity to form networking relationships with NCDOT professionals and obtain the critical and soft skills needed to advance in the workplace and global marketplace.

Office of HBCU Outreach at NCDOT - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has a focus on the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), with a goal of supporting the long-term success of the institutions and their students. The HBCU Outreach Initiative leverages a strategic plan to outline its priorities and how the organization will achieve them.

The NCDOT HBCU Outreach Initiative was created to provide opportunities and pathways for universities to grow and sustain through innovative solutions for the industry and preparation of students for transportation sector careers. Our Mission is to create inclusion and opportunities for HBCUs/MSI in the transportation industry.  

Our vision is to expand and diversify the transportation industry through the power of inclusion, and by strengthening the sustainable impact of North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

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