Elise Carter Honored with Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award

News Summary

Elise Carter, a dedicated educator and advocate for diversity, receives the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award for her contributions to inclusive education. Despite facing challenges, she founded NISE to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through educational programs. Her commitment to fostering respectful discourse in schools is driven by her personal experiences as a mother advocating for equitable opportunities for all children.

Fort Thomas, Kentucky – Elise Carter, an influential educator and advocate for diversity and social equity, has been honored with the prestigious Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award for her exceptional contributions to education and advocacy. With a tenure dating back to 2012 at Highlands High School, where she became the first Black teacher, Carter has made it her mission to foster inclusive environments, despite facing significant challenges in her pursuit of equitable education.

In the spring of 2021, Elise Carter gained public attention during a school meeting where she and colleague Trinity Walsh proposed the introduction of a social equity course designed to address critical issues surrounding race and inclusion. However, the proposal faced intense backlash from a segment of the community that perceived it as an attempt to indoctrinate children with critical race theory (CRT). The opposition was strong enough to lead to the removal of the proposed course from the school’s curriculum.

Undeterred by this setback, Carter and Walsh continued their advocacy efforts by founding Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students In Education (NISE), a nonprofit organization aimed at enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. The initiative provides a year-long program that includes educational sessions held on Saturdays, field trips, and guest speaker events, all at a minimal fee of $50. This program is dedicated to preparing students for future college and career pathways, while also promoting a deeper understanding of intersectionality—the interconnectedness of various social categorizations such as race, class, and gender.

The curriculum developed by NISE is expansive and focuses on the histories and contributions of a variety of marginalized communities. Participants engage not only with prominent figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks but also learn about lesser-known historical figures such as John Lewis. The program encompasses a wide range of topics, teaching about Jewish history, LGBTQ+ history, Native American history, and Latino history, thus providing a comprehensive view of societal issues and helping students relate their personal experiences to broader societal contexts.

Elise Carter’s impactful work has not gone unnoticed, as she has received several accolades, including the Smith-Wilson Award for Civil and Human Rights in Education, the 2024 Innovative Teacher Award for Northern Kentucky, and recognition as a finalist for the 2024 Upstander Awards from The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center. These honors reflect her commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment and advocating for those whose voices are often marginalized.

In her professional role, Carter emphasizes maintaining a boundary between her teaching responsibilities and her nonprofit endeavors; however, she remains open to addressing significant issues with her students. She encourages them to engage in honest discussions, fostering acceptance of diverse perspectives within the classroom setting.

The motivation driving Carter’s advocacy is deeply personal. As a mother of a Black son, she recognizes the importance of providing equitable education and opportunities for all children, especially in a political landscape where legislative actions are increasingly aimed at restricting discourse around diversity and inclusion.

Elise Carter’s approach combines educational efforts with community involvement, opening avenues for both students and adults to engage in programming and volunteer opportunities. This holistic strategy fosters a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion, making significant strides in the fight against marginalization.

As education continues to evolve amidst changing political climates, Elise Carter stands as a beacon for those advocating for justice and equity, inspiring the next generation to embrace inclusion and understanding.

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Additional Resources

• The Alpena News: Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cannot Be Canceled
• Sharon Herald: Holding Space for Good: Why DEI Cannot Be Canceled
• Soapbox Media: Northern Kentucky Organizations Address Housing Challenges
• National Review: The Battle for Public Education in Red America
• Link NKY: DEPs Officially Rebrands to Liquor Barn
• Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Google Search: Social Justice Education
• Google Scholar: Equity in Education
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Intersectionality
• Google News: Diversity Equity Inclusion