2023 RACIAL JUSTICE ESSAY CONTEST
COMMUNITY REMEMBRANCE COALITION CHATHAM AND THE CHATHAM COUNTY NAACP BRANCHES 5377 AND 5378
RACIAL JUSTICE ESSAY CONTEST AWARD CEREMONY June 17, 2023
We are very pleased with the results of everyone’s efforts and thankful for the excellent work done by the essay participants. Each contestant was required to write an 800–1000-word essay – discussing how racial justice has, and continues to impact all people in our society. They had to examine the history of their chosen topic, discuss its legacy today, and imagine solutions for a future, free from racial injustice.
Student Winners
This is the second year that the Community Remembrance Coalition – Chatham has been a sponsor of the Student Racial Justice Essay Contest. Knowing that there are students who are thinking of these social issues, gives us encouragement for the future.
We thank the following for their assistance in making this possible:
The Chatham County Schools’ administration:
Superintendent Dr. Anthony D. Jackson
Dr. Amanda Moran, Assistant Superintendent for academic services and instruction support
Chris Poston, Executive Director for Excellence and Opportunity
Bradyn Robinson, principal of Robert George Moses Horton Middle School
Essay Judges
The essays were judged by awesome, outstanding members of the Chatham County Community. We are so thankful for the fantastic work they accomplished! We would like to recognize all the judges listing them here. Those who are in
Neriah Boone is a local Minister, Community Worker, and social activist, and actively involved with the NAACP, CORE and is a renowned speaker locally and abroad. She currently produces plays and skits for the Senior Citizens Center in Siler City, NC. Neriah is known for her art of storytelling and her brilliant speaking abilities interspersed with humor and truth. She is a graduate of Duke University.
Janie Butler, former human resources consultant and counselor; United Way of Chatham County board member.
Karen Howard, Chatham County Commissioner, is a former attorney who lives in Northeast Chatham with her three youngest sons. She and her former husband also have three adult children. Commissioner Howard served as a member of the Chatham County Board of Education from 2012-2014 and as Chair of the Board from 2013-2014.
Kathleen Pierce, has worked as a children's librarian since 2005. She is passionate about working with teens, learning about social justice, and connecting people of all ages with books they can laugh with, learn from, and cherish. She lives with her family in Orange County, and works at the Chatham Community Library, and she would love to talk about books with you!
Mike Wiley, Mike Wiley Productions, actor, playwright, and director in documentary theatre. His dramas relay the stories of fugitive slaves, civil rights game-changers, sports heroes and freedom fighters.
Xiomara Yanique is The Events Planner for CORE. She is responsible for planning the Juneteenth Event, beginning June 16, 2023 with a dance on Friday evening and The Juneteenth Event on Saturday, June 17 from 11-4:00. She is putting together a multi-generational audience of more than 500 people.
Essay Committee
Mary Harris is a lifetime resident of Chatham County, and educator, a retired education administrator, with over 30 years of experience in Chatham County schools. She is the chairperson of the Essay Committee, the Co-Coordinator the CRC-C and a member of the West Chatham NAACP.
Jo Corro is Chairperson of the CRC-C Program Committee and a retired education administrator.
Jeff Barnett is a former international educator and school counselor. Jeff works in the medical field as an interpreter.
Mary Ann Barnett serves as a member of the CRC Board and its Outreach to Students Committee, has been a librarian in many capacities, and currently works with UNC as a Research Coordinator.
Adele Kelly is a member of the Chatham Community Branch NAACP and its Education Committee, a member of the CRC-C, and a retired educator.
Donna Mergliano is retired High School English teacher and Department Chair
Deborah Turrentine is Secretary of the CRC-C, Secretary of the Chatham Community Branch NAACP, and a retired Math teacher from Northwood High School.
A note of appreciation also goes to Jeff Barnett for offering a student workshop on topic selection and general student support. And volunteer, Donna Mergliano, a former high school English teacher for offering her proofreading skills for the essays.
We are very pleased with the results of everyone’s efforts and thankful for the excellent work done by the essay participants. Each contestant was required to write an 800–1000-word essay – discussing how racial justice has, and continues to impact all people in our society. They had to examine the history of their chosen topic, discuss its legacy today, and imagine solutions for a future, free from racial injustice.
Student Winners
- 5th Place – Honorable Mention: Skylar Donner – a Junior at the School of Science and Engineering, “The Ugly Truth “
- 4th Place – Honorable Mention: Kendall Lee – a Freshman at Seaforth High School, “Breaking Down Barriers: The Importance of Addressing Racial Bias in School Discipline for Black Girls”
- 3rd Place - Mordecai Mengesteab – a Junior at Seaforth High School, “Racial Justice Inequality in an Era of Equality”
- 2nd Place – Yahir Fernando Gonzalez Arenas – a Junior at Jordan Matthews High School, “American Racial
- 1st Place Winner - Jesse Brinson III – a Junior at Seaforth High School, “Wilmington Insurrection
This is the second year that the Community Remembrance Coalition – Chatham has been a sponsor of the Student Racial Justice Essay Contest. Knowing that there are students who are thinking of these social issues, gives us encouragement for the future.
We thank the following for their assistance in making this possible:
The Chatham County Schools’ administration:
Superintendent Dr. Anthony D. Jackson
Dr. Amanda Moran, Assistant Superintendent for academic services and instruction support
Chris Poston, Executive Director for Excellence and Opportunity
Bradyn Robinson, principal of Robert George Moses Horton Middle School
Essay Judges
The essays were judged by awesome, outstanding members of the Chatham County Community. We are so thankful for the fantastic work they accomplished! We would like to recognize all the judges listing them here. Those who are in
Neriah Boone is a local Minister, Community Worker, and social activist, and actively involved with the NAACP, CORE and is a renowned speaker locally and abroad. She currently produces plays and skits for the Senior Citizens Center in Siler City, NC. Neriah is known for her art of storytelling and her brilliant speaking abilities interspersed with humor and truth. She is a graduate of Duke University.
Janie Butler, former human resources consultant and counselor; United Way of Chatham County board member.
Karen Howard, Chatham County Commissioner, is a former attorney who lives in Northeast Chatham with her three youngest sons. She and her former husband also have three adult children. Commissioner Howard served as a member of the Chatham County Board of Education from 2012-2014 and as Chair of the Board from 2013-2014.
Kathleen Pierce, has worked as a children's librarian since 2005. She is passionate about working with teens, learning about social justice, and connecting people of all ages with books they can laugh with, learn from, and cherish. She lives with her family in Orange County, and works at the Chatham Community Library, and she would love to talk about books with you!
Mike Wiley, Mike Wiley Productions, actor, playwright, and director in documentary theatre. His dramas relay the stories of fugitive slaves, civil rights game-changers, sports heroes and freedom fighters.
Xiomara Yanique is The Events Planner for CORE. She is responsible for planning the Juneteenth Event, beginning June 16, 2023 with a dance on Friday evening and The Juneteenth Event on Saturday, June 17 from 11-4:00. She is putting together a multi-generational audience of more than 500 people.
Essay Committee
Mary Harris is a lifetime resident of Chatham County, and educator, a retired education administrator, with over 30 years of experience in Chatham County schools. She is the chairperson of the Essay Committee, the Co-Coordinator the CRC-C and a member of the West Chatham NAACP.
Jo Corro is Chairperson of the CRC-C Program Committee and a retired education administrator.
Jeff Barnett is a former international educator and school counselor. Jeff works in the medical field as an interpreter.
Mary Ann Barnett serves as a member of the CRC Board and its Outreach to Students Committee, has been a librarian in many capacities, and currently works with UNC as a Research Coordinator.
Adele Kelly is a member of the Chatham Community Branch NAACP and its Education Committee, a member of the CRC-C, and a retired educator.
Donna Mergliano is retired High School English teacher and Department Chair
Deborah Turrentine is Secretary of the CRC-C, Secretary of the Chatham Community Branch NAACP, and a retired Math teacher from Northwood High School.
A note of appreciation also goes to Jeff Barnett for offering a student workshop on topic selection and general student support. And volunteer, Donna Mergliano, a former high school English teacher for offering her proofreading skills for the essays.