Elise Carter Receives Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award

News Summary

Elise Carter has been awarded the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award for her significant contributions to education and social equity. Despite facing challenges in implementing a social equity course at Highlands High School, she has continued her advocacy through the Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students In Education nonprofit. Carter’s work emphasizes diversity, inclusivity, and a broader understanding of history, impacting her community and fostering important discussions on societal issues.

Fort Thomas, Kentucky – Elise Carter has been recognized with the prestigious Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award for her advocacy in education and social equity. Known for her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion, Carter’s efforts have gained significant attention, especially following a challenging journey regarding a proposed social equity course at Highlands High School.

In spring 2021, Carter introduced a social equity course aimed at addressing issues of race and identity. However, the initiative faced strong opposition from local parents who believed the course reflected critical race theory, prompting the school to remove it from the curriculum. Despite this setback, Carter, alongside her colleague Trinity Walsh, chose to continue their advocacy outside the traditional school setting by founding Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students In Education (NISE).

NISE is a nonprofit that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion for college and career readiness. The program offers a year-long educational initiative including Saturday sessions for students at an affordable cost of $50. These sessions feature engaging activities such as field trips, history lessons, and guest speakers. Central to NISE’s curriculum is the concept of intersectionality, encouraging students to connect personal experiences with wider societal issues.

Elise Carter’s approach to teaching extends beyond conventional education. Her curriculum includes lesser-known historical figures and events, moving beyond the commonly taught narratives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. It involves an exploration of diverse histories, including Jewish, LGBTQ+, Native American, and Latino histories. By broadening the educational scope, NISE aims to present a more comprehensive view of history and its implications on various communities.

Carter has been teaching at Highlands High School since 2012, where she holds the distinction of being the first Black teacher. In addition to her teaching role, she has been recognized with several awards for her impactful work, including the Smith-Wilson Award for Civil and Human Rights in Education, the 2024 Innovative Teacher Award for Northern Kentucky, and a finalist position for the Upstander Awards organized by The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center.

While maintaining a clear boundary between her teaching duties and her nonprofit work, Carter remains accessible to her students for discussions about important societal issues. She actively encourages honest conversations and the acknowledgment of diverse perspectives, a practice motivated in part by her experiences as a mother of a Black son. This personal connection fuels her advocacy and underscores the necessity of addressing marginalization in educational contexts.

The current political climate presents challenges for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, with many legislative movements aiming to restrict conversations around these topics. Nonetheless, Carter’s commitment demonstrates a dedication to fostering understanding and acceptance.

Elise Carter’s multifaceted approach combines education with community involvement, creating opportunities for students and adults alike to engage with diversity and inclusion issues. Through her work with NISE and at Highlands High School, she continues to make a meaningful impact on her community and the broader discourse surrounding social equity in education.

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Additional Resources

• The Alpena News: Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cannot Be Canceled
• Sharon Herald: Holding Space for Good: Why DEI Cannot Be Canceled
• Soapbox Media: Northern Kentucky Organizations Address Housing Challenges
• National Review: The Battle for Public Education in Red America
• Link NKY: DEPs Officially Rebrands to Liquor Barn
• Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Google Search: Social Justice Education
• Google Scholar: Equity in Education
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Intersectionality
• Google News: Diversity Equity Inclusion