WakeEd Partnership

Today we recognize Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom, resilience, and hope.

As an organization dedicated to supporting public education, WakeEd Partnership believes learning our nation’s history helps students better understand the world around them, appreciate different perspectives, and become informed, engaged citizens.

On this Juneteenth, we honor the significance of this day and the generations whose stories continue to shape our communities, our schools, and our future.

Mark your calendar for on June 23!

There are four ways to support Tools4Schools and help equip Wake County Public School System teachers and students for a successful school year:

✅ Make a donation
✅ Participate in our Back-to-School Supply Drive
✅ Shop our Amazon Wish List
✅ Organize a supply kit-building activity

Learn more at WakeEd.org/Supply-Drive or contact us at [email protected].

Watch for volunteer opportunities on Activate Good later this summer, including helping sort donations, stock shelves, and support teachers as they shop for classroom supplies. Together, we can make a difference for every school in Wake County.

✏️🎒 The school year is winding down, but we're already looking ahead.

Today WakeEd Partnership announced the 2026 Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive, kicking off July 7 and running through August 21. All the details can be found here: https://wakeed.org/supply-drive/

The community-wide campaign helps stock the shelves at Tools4Schools, our free classroom supply store serving Wake County Public School System teachers.

Since opening in 2022, Tools4Schools has distributed more than $2 million in school supplies to local educators, helping reduce out-of-pocket spending by our teachers on classroom materials and student needs.

This year you can help by:

📚 Donating school supplies
💙 Making a financial contribution
🏢 Hosting a supply drive
📦 Shopping our Amazon Wish List
🙋 Volunteering at Tools4Schools

NEW THIS YEAR: Join the Tools4Schools Challenge and rally your workplace, church, school, civic group, neighborhood or friends to collect supplies for local teachers.

Learn more, find donation locations and download our new Supply Drive Toolkit at wakeed.org/supply-drive. News release can be found here: https://wakeed.org/2026/06/17/wakeed-partnership-launching-2026-tools4schools-community-supply-drive-to-support-wake-county-teachers-on-july-7/

Strong Public Schools. Stronger Wake County.

As another school year ends, thousands of Wake County Public School System teachers are already looking ahead to next year—wondering whether they'll have the supplies and resources their students need to succeed. That's why we're asking our community to step up before June 30.

Our End of School Year Campaign is approaching our $50,000 goal, and every gift helps ensure educators and students start the next school year strong.

💙 $50 purchases 10 reams of copy paper
📚 $100 provides 25 new books for early readers
🎓 $250 opens doors to college and career opportunities for students
✏️ $500 supplies a classroom with dry erase materials for an entire year

Let’s show Wake County educators and students that their community stands behind them. Make your gift today: www.WakeEd.org/Support

A heartfelt thank you to the Cary Newcomers Club for their generous support of Tools4Schools! Through a $5,000 contribution and donations of much-needed school supplies, their members are helping stock our free teacher supply store and ensuring Wake County Public School System educators have the resources they need for their students and classrooms.

Partnerships like this make a real difference, helping teachers spend less out of their own pockets and focus more on what matters most—teaching and learning. Thank you, Cary Newcomers Club, for investing in our schools and community!

A big thank you to Cherry Bekaert!!

More than 250 interns and company leaders gathered in Raleigh this week for Cherry Bekaert's annual Intern Academy, and they chose to give back to our community while they were here.

Together, participants packed hundreds of backpacks and hygiene kits that will be distributed through our Tools4Schools free teacher store to support Wake County Public School System educators and students.

We are grateful for Cherry Bekaert's continued partnership and commitment to public education. Thank you for helping make a difference in our schools!

⭐ Our 2026 Stars of Education Honorees! ⭐

WakeEd Partnership is proud to announce the individuals who will be recognized at our 13th Annual Stars of Education Gala, presented by Martin Marietta, on November 9 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

🏆 Vernon Malone Friend of Education Award
• Gary Greene, Founder of Greene Resources

🌟 Wake County Public School System Hall of Fame – Class of 2026
🎨 Arts – Ragen Carlile
🏀 Athletics – Lawrence Dunn
💼 Business – Ralph Ashworth
🤝 Community Service – Ethan Clark
📚 Education – Drew Cook

These outstanding leaders have strengthened public education and enriched our community through decades of service, leadership, and impact.

Learn more about each honoree, sponsorship opportunities, and the upcoming gala at:
👉 www.WakeEd.org/Stars

📚 Become a Public School Champion this summer!

Hosting a Tools4Schools Supply Drive is one of the easiest ways your company, civic group, church, neighborhood, or family can support Wake County Public School System educators and students.

It's as easy as:

✅ Register your drive
✅ Collect donations
✅ Drop them off at Tools4Schools

We'll provide the toolkit, wish lists, flyers, and resources you need to make your drive a success.

Every notebook, pencil, marker, tissue box, and pack of crayons helps teachers spend less out of their own pockets and gives students the tools they need to learn.

Ready to get started? Click through graphics below>

👉 Register your drive today: https://wakeed.org/supply-drive/

Please join us in welcoming seven new members to the WakeEd Partnership Board of Directors!

✅ Patricia Bartis | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
✅ Ashley Lewis Ingram | JLL
✅ Keir Jenkins | John Deere
✅ Jodi Lewis | Cherry Bekaert
✅ Pierre Marcella | WingSwept
✅ Terry Parker | Bank of America
✅ Daniel Talley | TowneBank

We're also pleased to announce the re-election of Braxton Anthony, Rich Commercial Realty as Board Chair and the election of Shannon McSwiney Delta Dental of North Carolina as Chair-Elect.

A special thank you to our outgoing Board members for their years of service, leadership, and commitment to WakeEd's mission. We are grateful for all they have done to support educators, students, and schools across Wake County.

Strong Public Schools. Stronger Wake County.

Full news release: https://wakeed.org/2026/06/04/wakeed-partnership-elects-seven-new-board-members-re-elects-braxton-anthony-as-board-chair/

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 Coach Bob Pittard Scholars!

WakeEd Partnership has awarded $350,000 in scholarships this year to 28 outstanding student-athletes from Apex High School and Green Hope High School n the Wake County Public School System.

This year's awards are especially meaningful as we launch our new four-year scholarship commitment, providing eligible recipients with support throughout their college careers.

We are proud to welcome four new Pittard Scholars:
🎓 Sarah George
🎓 Brianna Stewart
🎓 Malak Makhlof
🎓 Stuart Piqueras

Since 2018, the Pittard Scholarship Fund has awarded $1.67 million to help students pursue their dreams through higher education.

Congratulations to all of our scholars and their families!

Full press release here: https://wakeed.org/2026/06/03/wake-ed-partnership-awards-350000-in-scholarships-in-first-year-of-expanded-pittard-four-year-commitment/