Official: More minorities needed in leadership positions

Decades after the civil rights movement, two black leaders are still hoping for more representation in elected and appointed positions.

The list of elected and appointed black officials in Burke County is short, and many of the elected officials served on the school board.

Lewis Allen “Bit” Fullwood was the first elected black official in the county, according to “The History of African-Americans in Burke County, North Carolina” compiled by the Committee on Black History. Fullwood was elected constable of Linville Township in 1964.

A few years later, in 1967, Allen Fullwood — named after Lewis Fullwood’s father — was appointed to the Morganton school board. He went on win re-elections and served for 13 years, growing with the board as it consolidated with the county.

Soon after Fullwood’s departure from the board in 1979, Bruce Hawkins was appointed to the school board to fill an unexpired term. He served until 1987.

Hawkins is now vice-chair of the Burke County Board of Commissioners. Hawkins ran unsuccessfully twice before winning a seat on the board in 2008. He is up for re-election this year.

The county reached another milestone in 1987 when voters elected Carl Evans to the Morganton City Council. Evans had faced incumbent Molly Darwin and won 58.7 percent of the vote.

Evans served for 20 years before losing his re-election bid in 2007.

In 1992, Tom McCurry became the first black person elected to the Burke County Board of Commissioners, and he served as chairman of the board.

At the age of 74, McCurry was also one of the oldest commissioners to serve at the time.

McCurry’s service with the board came to an abrupt end in May 1996 — after he’d announced his intent to seek re-election — when he resigned.

At the time, McCurry, a Republican, said the board had become divisive after then commissioners Jimmy Jacumin and J.R. Simpson along with Charlie Hildebran, chairman of the Burke County Republican Party recruitment committee, sent out a campaign letter making “outright false statements against” him.

McCurry also ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Morganton.

The Burke County Board of Education also saw the election of Walter Ray Johnson, Artie McKesson Logan and Lander Corpening in the following years.

Elected and appointed officials in 2012

Today, the only elected black official in the county is Hawkins.

Last year, Rutherford College appointed its first town manager and the county’s first black city or town manager. In the 1980s, Charles Penny served as assistant City of Morganton manager to Doug Bean.

Kenneth Geathers Jr., 33, is in his first stint as a town manager, but served as the director of public works in Spencer and Creedmore.

His involvement in public administration stems from his father’s involvement in politics.

Geathers said his father, Kenneth Geather Sr., served on the Kannapolis City Council for 27 years.

His father would take him to meetings and would talk about the meetings when he returned home, said Geathers.

He believes his appointment is a testament to the progress that’s being made, and he feels fortunate to be a part of it.

Towns and cities may be progressive, but the field of public administration doesn’t attract minorities in his experience, said Geathers.

He added that, regardless of race, all governmental boards should keep the diversity of their constituents in mind as they make decisions.

The most important thing, for elected and appointed officials, is to get to know the people in the community, said Geathers.

Perspective matters

Hawkins, 68, and Fullwood, 71, both believe boards should reflect the diversity of the population and should include someone from a minority community.

Hawkins said he agreed to his appointment on the school board in 1979 because he “felt strongly there needed to be an African-American on the board.

He intends to run for re-election this year, to continue bringing that perspective to the board of commissioners.

Hawkins added that governmental boards are there to be a voice of all their constituents.

Fullwood said he thinks it’s important to have minority representation — whether it’s a black, Asian or Latino person — on governmental boards because they offer different points of view and can offer input from their communities.

“There are a lot of decisions that are made that affect and a lot of decisions that are not made that affect the African-American community or community of color,” Fullwood said. “The input is very important. How well intentioned the board members may be, they would never think of some of the things that need to be addressed that are seen through the eyes of a person of color.”

For example, after desegregation and the closure of the all black high school, the majority of those teachers lost their jobs, said Fullwood. Additionally, the school’s awards, trophies and memorabilia was destroyed.

Today, he’s concerned minority communities aren’t represented on the school board or Morganton City Council.

“Things are changed, yet not changed,” said Fullwood.

He believes the school board would have benefited from having a black member during the consolidation process. The closure of Mountain View Elementary school was upsetting because it was “a symbol of the African-American community,” said Fullwood.

He acknowledged it took time to get to today, and it will take time to get to the future the black community envisions.

Encouraging others

Hawkins and Fullwood grew up in Burke County and had mentors or role models that encouraged them to seek offices.

Hawkins’ father exposed him to politics at an early stage, he said. His father would encourage people to register to vote and would provide transportation to polls on Election Day.

Fullwood said Dr. Edward Phifer served as a mentor to him as he learned about the history of public education in Burke.

Hawkins said at one time, there was the assumption that a black person could not be elected for a county-wide office, but he’s found that to be untrue.

“Once citizens realized you’ve prepared yourself to run and of your good character and you’re willing to serve all the people, they will vote for you,” said Hawkins.

Making the decision to seek an elected or appointed office doesn’t happen over night, Hawkins said. You have to learn about the community and about the issues.

Potential candidates would also have to learn how to deal with public scrutiny and need a flexible schedule to attend meetings that are sometimes held during working hours, said Fullwood.

Representation should come from a person who is committed, knowledgeable and has energy and foresight, said Fullwood. An elected official should not just occupy a seat, but must be able to see the needs of the community.

President Barack Obama’s election may inspire the next generations of black leaders, but it’s even more important for local black leaders to serve as role models, said Hawkins.

Seeing black elected officials gives the following generations someone to emulate, said Hawkins. And it shows that getting involved gives someone the opportunity to express his or her feelings and opinions.

“I would encourage anyone, especially African-Americans, to consider running for an elected office because this allows you the opportunity to make a difference,” said Hawkins.

Fullwood said there’s a tremendous amount of history, but he hopes to see a more balanced future for all people.