Elise Carter Receives 2025 Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award

News Summary

Elise Carter has been awarded the 2025 Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award for her substantial contributions to Black affairs in education. Despite facing challenges while proposing a social equity course at Highlands High School that was removed due to opposition, Carter established the Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students In Education (NISE) initiative to promote diversity and equity. Her work emphasizes inclusive history and prepares students for a diverse global society.

Fort Thomas, Kentucky – Elise Carter has been awarded the 2025 Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award in recognition of her significant contributions to Black affairs in education. The award is presented collaboratively by the National Education Association and the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.

This honor comes after Carter, alongside her colleague Trinity Walsh, proposed a groundbreaking social equity course at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas in spring 2021. The course aimed to address issues of diversity and social justice in education. However, it faced considerable opposition from parents who linked the initiative to critical race theory (CRT), which ultimately led to its removal from the curriculum.

In response to the backlash, Carter and Walsh established Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students In Education (NISE), a nonprofit initiative dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in education for college and career readiness. The NISE program is cost-effective, priced at only $50 for an entire year, and offers a range of activities, including Saturday classes, field trips, and guest speakers who share their lived experiences.

Program Focus and Curriculum

Elise Carter emphasizes the importance of teaching histories that are often underrepresented in the public education system. Rather than solely focusing on well-known figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, she aims to include contemporary leaders like John Lewis and histories that encompass diverse communities, including Jewish, LGBTQ+, Native American, and Latino narratives. This broad approach intends to deepen students’ understanding of intersectionality, making their learning experiences more relatable and meaningful.

Acknowledgments and Accomplishments

Carter’s dedication to education has previously earned her the Smith-Wilson Award for Civil and Human Rights in Education, and she has been recognized as the 2024 Innovative Teacher Award Winner for Northern Kentucky. Furthermore, she is a finalist for the 2024 Upstander Awards given by The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center, highlighting her commitment to civil rights education.

Career Background

Since joining Highlands High School in 2012 as its first Black teacher, Elise Carter has taught business and leadership courses while managing her nonprofit organization separately. She maintains an open dialogue with her students, fostering an environment conducive to honest discussions about diversity and differing perspectives. Carter’s motivation to advocate for marginalized voices is influenced by her experiences as a mother of a Black son, highlighting her commitment to educational equity.

Community Impact and Future Goals

The NISE initiative functions as both an educational and community-driven program, striving to promote experiential learning opportunities for both students and adults. Elise Carter’s tireless efforts illustrate a profound commitment to preparing children for success in an increasingly diverse global society, particularly amid challenging political climates that often aim to restrict discussions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Overall, Elise Carter’s resilience and proactive approach serve as a beacon of hope in the movement towards more inclusive education. As she continues her work, both within Highlands High School and through programs like NISE, Carter’s dedication to advocacy and education exemplifies the necessary steps towards fostering a more equitable society.

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• The Alpena News
• Sharon Herald
• Financial Times
• Politico
• Ecological Applications
• Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Google Search: Diversity Equity Inclusion Education
• Google Scholar: Diversity Equity Inclusion
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Google News: Diversity Equity Inclusion