EPiC’s Gala for Black Youth Excellence to Celebrate and Empower Black Students and Parents

DURHAM, NC – On Saturday, February 15, at 6:30 PM, community members will gather in Durham to champion Black Youth Excellence, standing strong amid nationwide rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Empowered Parents in Community (EPiC) remains unwavering in its mission to uplift Black parent leadership and support Black student success. Since its founding in 2019, EPiC has equipped Black parents with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to advocate for equitable opportunities for their children.

The evening will feature a keynote address from Dr. Henry McKoy, an esteemed leader and former senior advisor to the Undersecretary for Science and Innovation at the U.S. Department of Energy. The Gala aims to celebrate Black youth achievement, raise awareness of their challenges, and inspire the next generation of Black leaders and changemakers. In the face of ongoing attacks on DEI, EPiC’s annual event will foster pride, unity, and resilience within the community.

“We are a Black-led, community-rooted organization unapologetically focused on Black children and their success in school and in life,” said Jovonia Lewis, Executive Director of EPiC. “Our programs empower parents to advocate for their children, equipping them with essential resources to help create better schools. Through our monthly community forums, we bring people with lived experiences together to drive solutions.”

Toyia Williams, EPiC’s Operations Director, emphasized the impact of community support: “Funding for EPiC directly removes barriers for families to access resources and participate in our listening sessions and community forums. We provide dinner and childcare at every event—valued at $50 per person—and offer stipends to participants, honoring their time and lived experiences. Additionally, we’ve used funding for tutoring, academic book clubs, and guest speakers to enhance academic support and provide culturally responsive materials for students. Thanks to our supporters, every Black child in our community is seen, supported, and celebrated.”

Event Details:

Location: University Club, 3100 Tower Boulevard, Durham, NC
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Includes: Dinner, live music, and an inspiring keynote address from Dr. Henry McKoy

About EPiC’s Impact:

• In 2022, EPiC increased family engagement funding by an average of 17% across five majority-minority schools in Durham.
• In the 2023-24 school year, nearly 4,000 community members were directly impacted by EPiC’s work supporting Black parents and children.
• Over 95% of families engaged in EPiC’s community conversations reported an increased understanding of systemic educational inequities.

About EPiC:
Empowered Parents in Community (EPiC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to dismantling systemic racial inequities in education. Through parent leadership and advocacy, EPiC strengthens family engagement to better support Black students’ educational success. Learn more at EPiC-NC.org.