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There's no better time to start. Love this from Ben Meer.

?? #NAHM24 Post 19: The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) stands as a beacon of educational opportunity and cultural pride for Native Americans, particularly the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Founded in 1887 as the Croatan Normal School, UNCP’s origins are deeply rooted in serving the Lumbee community, providing a path to higher education during a time when few such opportunities existed for Native peoples. Today, UNCP continues its mission of inclusivity and excellence. The Museum of the Southeast American Indian, located on campus, serves as a hub for preserving and celebrating the history and heritage of Indigenous peoples in the region. ???? UNCP not only represents a proud past but also fosters a vibrant future, empowering students of all backgrounds to achieve greatness while staying connected to their roots. If you haven’t visited this historic campus or its museum, take the time to explore a place where education and culture intertwine. It’s more than a university—it’s a legacy. ???? www.uncp.edu #NAHM #UNCP #LumbeePride #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Education University of North Carolina at Pembroke

?? Proud Dad Moment! ?? This week, my daughter is serving as a Governor's Page, and I couldn’t be prouder! ???? Regardless of political affiliation, this program is a tremendous honor, offering young leaders the chance to learn about government, develop leadership skills, and engage in public service. Watching her embrace this opportunity is a reminder of the power of dedication and hard work. ?? I know this experience will leave a lasting impact on her journey ahead. #ProudParent #GovernorsPage #LeadershipInAction #NAHM #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

#NAHM24 Post 17 honors the remarkable legacy of Mary Dunn Harding, a trailblazer in education and community service. From her days as a student at Oak Grove Indian School to her 35-year career in Scotland County Schools, Mary dedicated her life to enriching others. ???? After earning her degree at Appalachian State, she returned to Oak Grove in 1957 and later taught at Washington Park and Sycamore Lane schools. Even in retirement, she remained committed—volunteering in adult literacy programs, tutoring, and engaging in community service with groups like the Red Hat Society and First Baptist Church of Laurinburg. Mary’s life of service leaves an enduring legacy of love, education, and community. ???? #NAHM #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #OakGroveIndianSchool #LifelongService

#NAHM24 Post 16 highlights Oak Grove Cemetery on Oak Grove School Road in Laurinburg, NC. ??? This historic site holds a profound connection to the nearby Oak Grove Indian School and serves as a resting place for many whose lives and legacies are deeply woven into the fabric of our community. This sacred space reminds us of the resilience and enduring strength of Native ancestors, whose contributions continue to shape and inspire our shared heritage. ???? During Native American Heritage Month, take a moment to honor the stories and history preserved at sites like Oak Grove Cemetery. Let’s ensure these memories remain vibrant for generations to come. ?? #NAHM #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NativeHeritage #History

?? #NAHM24 Post 14 focuses on the Blossom Indigenous Languages Program, an inspiring new initiative by Voices of Heritage (VoH), supported by Future of School. This innovative program bridges generations and celebrates Indigenous languages by combining cultural storytelling with advanced technology. With its groundbreaking text-to-speech technology, Blossom allows Indigenous communities to share stories in their native languages, like Anishinaabemowin for the Ojibwe people, blending it seamlessly with English. Guided by Indigenous leaders such as Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant and Dr. Martin Reinhardt, the program captures language nuances and cultural heritage through secure, bilingual audio experiences. ?? By empowering Indigenous voices, Blossom is preserving language and strengthening cultural pride and unity. This secure storytelling platform honors storytellers’ control over their narratives, giving them the power to share their stories authentically. ?? Want to support the movement? You can: - Share story ideas celebrating Indigenous heritage - Connect VoH with communities interested in preserving their language - Partner to expand the program into more languages and cultural contexts - Offer expertise, time, or resources to support Indigenous language preservation. The Blossom Indigenous Languages Program opens doors for today’s youth to connect with their heritage and keep Indigenous languages vibrant for future generations! ???? #NAHM #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #IndigenousLanguages #VoicesOfHeritage Amy Valentine Learn more: Blossom Indigenous Languages Program. https://lnkd.in/eDVn2ziH

?? #NAHM24 Post 10: Honoring a Legacy of Resilience ?? Today, we celebrate the legacy of my Great-Grandpa, David Andrew Locklear—known lovingly as "Son." Born on January 22, 1900, David and his wife, Nancy, raised nine children who became known for their unwavering dedication to family and hard work. Each child reflected David’s leadership, loyalty, and strength, creating a unique family bond that few have experienced. Their names—each representing a link in this powerful lineage—are: ? Ila "Sissy" ? Nancy ? Crawford ? Shelly ? Alex ? Albert ? Elmer ? Earnest "EC" ? Marvin From a young age, these siblings learned the importance of loyalty, resilience, and quiet strength. My cousin, Ricky, shared a story that captures their spirit. When he went to buy hay from JP Locklear Sr., as Lumbee do, JP asked, “Who’s your people?” When Ricky mentioned his father, Shelly, JP Sr. responded with admiration: "I’ll tell you this about Son and his boys—nobody could beat them to the field, no matter how early we arrived.” Ricky shared this with his dad, who laughed and said, "What he didn’t know is that sometimes we worked so hard, we just slept in the field to start fresh the next morning." Each sibling carried this sense of purpose and hard work into their adult lives. Known for their quiet demeanor, they led through actions rather than words. My Grandpa Albert and I could spend the entire day working side-by-side, speaking only a sentence or two. Yet their silence held strength, showing their profound respect for each other and their father. David’s influence reaches across generations, and I feel blessed to carry forward the wisdom and legacy he built with Nancy. Together, they left us with priceless gifts that continue to shape our lives. It’s an honor to celebrate them this Native American Heritage Month, remembering the strength and unity they instilled in our family. ?? ?? #NAHM #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Lumbee #FamilyLegacy #GenerationalStrength

???? First Generation College Student Journey ???? I'm a day late for #FirstGenerationCollegeStudentDay, but here is my journey... From stepping onto campus as a first-generation college student to completing my doctorate, this journey has been one of growth, resilience, and dedication! Here’s a snapshot of the path that’s shaped me: ?? Degrees Earned ?? Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - East Carolina University (2015) ?? Masters of School Administration - UNC Pembroke (2007) ?? Bachelor of Arts in History with Social Studies Licensure - UNC Pembroke (2002) ?? Professional Certificates ?? Leadership and Communication - Harvard University (2024) ?? Mental Health in the Workplace - Walden University (2023) ?? Online Learning - Duke University (2021) ?? Aspiring Superintendents Academy? - AASA (2020) ?? Advanced Placement (AP) US History - UNC Charlotte (2003) So grateful for every challenge, lesson, and achievement along the way! ??? Let’s keep paving the way for those who come next! #FirstGenProud #LifelongLearning #EducationMatters

?? #NAHM24 Post 9: Honoring Mae Louis Locklear ?? Mae Louis Locklear’s journey from a student at Oak Grove Indian School to a beloved teacher there is a testament to her dedication and commitment to education. After graduating as valedictorian of Gibson High School’s Class of 1961, Mae pursued higher education and returned to Oak Grove to teach. Over her 40-year career, she touched countless lives, earning awards like Outstanding Young Educator and Teacher of the Year, and inspiring generations within her community. ???? Mae’s legacy celebrates the profound impact of Native educators. ?? #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NAHM #LegacyOfExcellence #OakGroveSchool #Inspiration

?? #NAHM24 Post 7 highlights the impactful work of Ms. Shannon Brayboy, a trailblazer as one of the founders of Alpha Pi Omega, the first historically American Indian sorority, founded in 1994 at UNC-Chapel Hill. ???? Shannon’s commitment to inspiring Native students shines through her work with the Native American Student Association at Scotland Early College. Today, she led a group, including my daughter, on an enriching journey through Lumbee history and culture. They explored the Lumbee Cultural Center, attended a cultural event at UNCP’s Givens Performing Arts Center, and received a private tour of “The Turtle,” the Lumbee Tribe’s headquarters. ??? Students even had the unique opportunity to engage with Tribal Chairman John Lowery and learn from tribal staff. Deep gratitude to all who helped make this meaningful experience possible! ???? #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NAHM #Education #LumbeePride University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina