Dear Friends, 

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

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 

Governor Cooper Proclaims National Volunteer Week, Encourages North Carolinians to Volunteer in Local Community

Governor Roy Cooper has declared April 17 – 23, 2022 as National Volunteer Week in North Carolina to celebrate the important work volunteers do across the state and encourage more North Carolinians to volunteer. There are many opportunities for people to mark the week.

“When we work together, we build a stronger state for all,” Governor Cooper said. "I am grateful for all the volunteers across our state and encourage North Carolinians to spend time volunteering. Whether you’re donating to a local food bank, assisting with disaster recovery, giving blood or helping seniors, there are many ways to help out your community."

VolunteerNC, an agency within the Office of the Governor, promotes community service and volunteering across North Carolina. The agency has more information on volunteer opportunities across the state including volunteering onsite, outdoors, from home or virtually. Volunteer needs vary across the state from working at a local food bank to helping rebuild homes damaged by severe weather.

“National Volunteer Week celebrates the year-round impact of volunteers in our community. Volunteers are true change makers: dedicating their efforts to causes they care about, including disaster recovery, COVID response, food drives, and more,” said Briles Johnson, Executive Director of VolunteerNC. “North Carolina is the great state we love because so many people volunteer their time and talents to serve their neighbors and communities.”...READ MORE

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Governor Cooper Celebrates Week of the Young Child and Highlights Child Care Stabilization Grants in Mecklenburg County

NCDHHS has distributed more than $340 million in grants to over 4,000 child care centers in 99 counties

On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper visited and toured Nana's Place Learning Center in Charlotte to celebrate Week of the Young Child and highlight the North Carolina Child Care Stabilization Grants. The Governor also spent time reading to a Pre-K class at Nana’s Place. 

“During the Week of the Young Child, we celebrate our early childhood educators who teach, nurture and support our children,” said Governor Cooper. “Child care and early learning programs lay the foundation for future success, and it’s great to see how these grants not only help care for our children but help their parents get and keep jobs.”

In October 2021, Governor Cooper announced the launch of the North Carolina Child Care Stabilization Grants, a historic, federal $805 million investment in the state’s early care and learning programs. Since the launch of the program, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has distributed over $340 million to more than 4,000 child care centers across the state. The application for stabilization grants is open and conducted on a rolling basis.

90% of eligible child care programs have applied for and received Stabilization Grants. Of those programs that have received Stabilization Grants, 92% of the programs have used the funding as compensation support for their workforce. Grants have been distributed in 99 counties.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration to highlight the needs of young children and their families and recognize early childhood programs and services. Governor Cooper has proclaimed April 2022 as Month of the Young Child and April 2-8, 2022 as Week of the Young Child...READ MORE

NCDOR to Launch Phase Two of the Business Recovery Grant Program on May 2

$200 Million Remains Available as Categories of Eligible Businesses Expand

The N.C. Department of Revenue (NCDOR) plans to launch the application for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant (BRG) program on Monday, May 2, 2022, with changes to the program’s eligibility criteria allowing many additional businesses to qualify for these grants. BRG will issue a payment to an eligible North Carolina business that suffered an economic loss of at least 20 percent during the pandemic. The grant amount is a percentage of the economic loss demonstrated by the eligible business or $500,000, whichever is less. The application deadline is June 1, 2022.

“Barbers, cosmetologists, gyms and other service providers were hit hard by the pandemic and it’s important to expand these grants to help them too,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy and strong support for them is critical.”

Many businesses excluded in Phase 1 are eligible to apply in Phase 2. In addition to COVID-impacted businesses in the hospitality industry such as restaurants and hotels, the BRG is now open to other businesses affected by the pandemic such as:

• Farmers and Agribusinesses
• Gyms and Personal Training businesses
• Salons and Barbershops
• Massage Therapy businesses
• Dental offices
• Law firms
• Doctor offices
• Interior Design businesses
• Hardware Stores
• Pharmacies
• Landscapers
• Tailor and Dry Cleaning businesses

Additionally, a business’s previous receipt of a grant award from certain federal programs will not make it ineligible for a reimbursement grant. This list is non-exhaustive, and businesses are encouraged to visit https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant to learn more about eligibility criteria beginning May 2.

Two types of grants will be available to eligible businesses for Phase 2:

• A hospitality grant is available to an eligible arts, entertainment, or recreation business, as well as an eligible accommodation or food service business such as a hotel, restaurant, or bar (NAICS code 71 and 72).
• A reimbursement grant is available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code 71 and 72. A business’s previous receipt of a grant award from certain federal programs will not make it ineligible for a reimbursement grant.

On May 2, eligible business owners will be able to apply for Phase 2 online at www.ncdor.gov. More detailed information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions will also be available on the agency website.

State Youth and Youth Advisory Councils Announce 2021-2022 Mini Grant Recipients

Grant funding will help develop peer-to-peer programs for high school youth

The NC Department of Administration’s State Youth Council and Youth Advisory Council recently awarded a total of $6,292 through the annual Mini Grant Program to 15 deserving North Carolina-based organizations. Each year, funding ranging from $100 to $500 is awarded to youth organizations to create peer-to-peer activities within their communities geared towards high schoolers. 

“For more than 40 years, the Mini Grant Program has supported activities that build leadership and team skills preparing youth for the future,” said NC Department of Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “It is our hope that youth will come away with character-building experiences as well as a sense of empowerment and desire to help build better and brighter North Carolina communities.” 

Projects funded this year include a food allergy awareness campaign, a mentorship program, a care package initiative supporting mental health, and a program to help fight hunger, among others. The Mini Grant Program was established in 1977 by the Youth Advisory Council which oversees the State Youth Council. All Mini Grant applications are screened and reviewed by State Youth Councils and the Youth Advisory Council. Applications for the 2022-2023 Mini Grant Program will open this fall.

For more information on the Mini Grant Program, or to learn more about the State Youth and Youth Advisory councils, visit the NC Department of Administration website for details.

BE INVOLVED

Virtual Lunch and Learn Series Offers Leaders Opportunity to Enhance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs in Public and Private Sector

During the next three months, the NC Department of Administration is providing business and government leaders opportunities to join a virtual lunch and learn series that explore ways to enhance and develop diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within North Carolina’s public and private business sectors. Hosted by the Andrea Harris Task Force’s Business Engagement Group, each of the three free 90-minute webinars features a panel of business experts who will share their experiences, challenges, and successes with programs created to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each webinar also features an audience question and answer session.

“The goal is to continue advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our state,” said Andrea Harris Task Force Chair and Secretary of the NC Department of Administration Pamela B. Cashwell. “Our workforce, particularly leadership roles, should reflect the diversity of our state. It is my hope that businesses will take information from the lunch and learn series to improve upon disparities within the workplace including equal pay and gender segregated careers.”  

The learning series begins next week and includes topics such as recruiting, on-the-job training and employee business resource groups. Participants can elect to attend any or all three webinars.  

April 22, 2022 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion External Mentor Programs & Supplier Diversity Programs  

• Moderator: Kevin Price, President & CEO, National Institute of Minority Economic Development  
• Panelists: Kate Weaver, Supplier Diversity Manager, Peapod Digital Labs (Food Lion sister company)  
• Andrew Grier, Supplier Engagement & Diversity Manager, Duke Energy 

May 20, 2022 – Internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training and Employee Business Resource Groups 

• Moderator: Evin L. Grant, Policy Director, NC Department of Administration  
• Panelists: Danielle Pavliv, Chief Diversity Officer, SAS  
• Brooke Cummings, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Curi 
• Niya Fonville, Director of Externships, Campbell Law School  

June 17, 2022 – Diversity Recruiting and Hiring and On the Job Training 

• TBA 

All participants must pre-register to attend each lunch and learn.

Volunteers Needed for Statewide Litter Sweep

The N.C. Department of Transportation needs volunteers to help clean up trash along roads during the Adopt-A-Highway Fall Litter Sweep from April 16-30. 

Each April and September, NCDOT asks volunteers to help remove litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, nonprofits, churches, municipalities, law enforcement and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean. 

Volunteers can request clean-up supplies such as trash bags, gloves and safety vests from local NCDOT county maintenance offices. No sign up is required. 

“Last year, NCDOT and our partner organizations picked up more than 13 million pounds of litter,” said State Roadside Engineer David Harris. “The Litter Sweep is a great opportunity to keep that momentum going and get your friends and family outdoors. Just a few hours volunteering can make a huge difference.” 

For more information, visit ncdot.gov/littersweep or call 919-707-2970. 

NC DOT Extends HBCU/MSI Fellows and Intern Deadline 

The N.C. Department of Transportation's HBCU/MIHE Internship Program provides hands-on, real-world experience for students attending historically black colleges or universities (HBCU) or minority-serving institutions (MSI).

The 10-week summer internship program is an ideal way for graduate and undergraduate students to gain work experience with the various divisions, branches, and units within NCDOT, while learning what a career in the transportation industry can offer.  

Essential components of the internship experience include professional development workshops on skills such as résumé building, business writing and networking.

Interns also work with executive and senior leadership staff and develop important connections that can be helpful in future professional endeavors.

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.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions of Higher Education served:

•  Bennett College
•  Elizabeth City State University
•  Fayetteville State University
•  Johnson C. Smith University
•  Livingstone College
•  North Carolina A&T State University
•  North Carolina Central University
•  St. Augustine’s University
•  Shaw University
•  University of North Carolina at Pembroke
•  Winston-Salem State University

N.C. Arts Council Opens Nominations for 2022 North Carolina Heritage Award

Nominations are open for the North Carolina Heritage Award, the state’s highest honor for traditional artists, until May 2. A program of the N.C. Arts Council, the Heritage Award honors active traditional artists, recognizes artistic excellence in a traditional art, celebrates contributions to communities, and promotes North Carolina’s cultural heritage.

Artists who are recognized within their communities as keepers of North Carolina’s living traditions may be nominated for the award. Anyone can nominate a traditional artist or group of artists for a N.C. Heritage Award.

Past award recipients have included masters of such traditions as string band, gospel, balladry, and blues music; storytelling; and crafts such as pottery, basketry, blacksmithing, weaving, boatbuilding, and carving. As new traditions take root, their practitioners are nominated and the list of examples grows. To date the award has honored 144 artists—some professionally acclaimed and others who practice their art in family and community settings.

“The Heritage Awards are an opportunity to celebrate exceptional people who keep and nurture traditional creative practice. Through them, we also honor the cultural contributions of their entire communities,” said the N.C. Arts Council’s Folklife Director Zoe Van Buren. “With each new cohort, we can witness the changing seasons of our state’s dynamic cultural life, see traditions emerge and adapt, and learn how North Carolinians use the arts to know who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.”

Many Heritage Award recipients have gained national and international attention. Arthel “Doc” Watson, Earl Scruggs, Etta Baker, Ray Hicks, and 12 others have received National Heritage Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The criteria for selection are authenticity, current and past record of excellence, and significance of the work within the context of the nominees’ specific cultural tradition.

The Heritage Award ceremony and concert in the spring of 2023 will feature performances and demonstrations by the Heritage Award recipients.

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