Educators, business leaders, community members and elected officials will gather at the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County in late May in support of education.
The annual Craven County Partners in Education Luncheon on May 28 supports and recognizes the dedicated educators of Craven County Schools while raising funds to enrich classroom instruction through teacher grants.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for seating, with the program beginning at noon. Lunch will be catered by The Flame.
Tickets are $35 per person, and the event is open to the public.
Tickets can be purchased from the Partners in Education Ambassadors or online at CravenPartners.com. Organizers encourage early ticket purchases since the event is expected to sell out.
Since 2010, Partners in Education has awarded an estimated $2.5 million in grants and raised more than $543,000 in event sponsorships and in-kind gifts totaling $424,150, said Suzanne Gifford, Craven County Partners in Education executive director.
“The luncheon is an excellent opportunity for our community to support our public school educators,” said Don Brinkley, Craven County Partners In Education board president.
“The event finances grants awarded to teachers for creative and innovative projects in Craven County Schools’ classrooms. These grants fund materials for technology, science, music, and art projects, along with supplies and books for our students.”
Brinkley said Partners in Education awarded more than $31,000 in grants during the 2024-25 school year.
Gifford announced that this year’s keynote speaker will be Jason Griffin, executive director of Elementary Education and Federal Programs for Craven County Schools and a former North Carolina Principal of the Year.
This year’s theme, Turning Setbacks into Comebacks, will be brought to life by Griffin, whose inspiring career in education spans 23 years, Gifford said.
Griffin has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from East Carolina University, an administration degree from Elizabeth City State University, a master’s degree in middle grades mathematics from ECU and an education specialist degree from ECU.
Throughout his career, Griffin has been a teacher, mentor and administrator, consistently working to foster environments where students and educators can thrive, Gifford said.
Griffin is the president of the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators and the North Carolina Association of Federal Program Administrators.
In 2023, he received the National Association of Federal Program Administrators Award, recognizing him as one of the top federal program directors in the country.
A former adviser to the State Board of Education, Griffin has also been recognized by President Trump as a National Distinguished Principal.
Si Seymour, a former West Craven High School coach and Harold H. Bate Foundation board member, will emcee the event alongside Brinkley.
To learn more about Partners in Education grants and programs, how to get involved and to purchase a ticket for the annual luncheon, contact Suzanne Gifford at 252-259-5610.