99th Annual Conference
Harris elected NCABCO president

Edgecombe commissioner among award winners

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The North Carolina Association of Black County Officials held its business meeting and annual awards banquet during the NCACC’s 99th Annual Conference and elected new officers for two-year terms.

The North Carolina Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO) elected officers for 2006-08 on Sept. 8. Pictured, from left to right, are First Vice President Walter Marshall of Forsyth County, President Viola Harris of Edgecombe County, Assistant Secretary Fannie Greene of Northampton County, Secretary Jackie Brown of Lenoir County, Membership Co-Chairs Pearl Burris-Floyd of Gaston County and Ronnie Smith of Martin County, and Second Vice President Howard Hunter of Hertford County. Not pictured: Treasurer Valerie Foushee of Orange County and Parliamentarian Billy King of Cumberland County. (Photos by Jason King)

Edgecombe County Commissioner Viola Harris was elected president for 2006-08. She is joined by:

• First Vice President Walter Marshall, Forsyth County
• Second Vice President Howard Hunter, Hertford County
• Secretary Jackie Brown, Lenoir County
• Treasurer Valerie Foushee, Orange County
• Assistant Secretary Fannie Greene, Northampton County
• Parliamentarian Billy King, Cumberland County
• Membership Co-Chairs Pearl Burris-Floyd, Gaston County, and Ronnie Smith, Martin County

NCABCO Past President Moses Carey (third from right) congratulates award winners (from left to right) Brad Thompson, Viola Harris, Carnell Robinson, Claudette Weston, and Wake County Commissioner Harold Webb, who accepted the Frederick Douglas Award on behalf of Rep. Linda Coleman.

Also at the business session, members heard from Town of Carrboro Alderman John Herrera and Miriam Hernandez, director of the Hispanic Action Force, on growing negative perceptions between African-American and Latino and Hispanic communities.

“We do have more similarities than differences,” Herrera said.

Hernandez suggested communities provide cultural training in schools and via church and other civic groups, but that the root of most negative beliefs are being cultivated at home.

NCABCO presented five awards at its Sept. 9 banquet. Awards recipients are as follows:

Second Vice President Mary Accor of Cleveland County performed during NCABCO’s annual awards banquet on Sept. 9.

• Humanitarian Award: Claudette Weston
• Frederick Douglas Award: Rep. Linda Coleman, Wake County
• Outstanding Leadership Award: Carnell Robinson
• Service Award: Viola Harris
• President’s Award: Brad Thompson

In addition, NCABCO announced its 2006 Youth Leadership Scholarship winners: Carlette Bell of Rocky Mount, and Christian Foushee Green and Krystal Michele Harris of Durham.

Bell is working toward her bachelor’s degree at N.C. State University. Green, who was unable to attend the ceremony, attends Berklee College of Music in Boston. Harris is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University and is pursuing a graduate degree at N.C. State.

President Viola Harris announced that NCABCO is accepting nominees for its 2007 scholarship program. Nominees should be e-mailed to Harris at vharris@coxnc.com, or faxed to (252) 824-0475.