Our Minds, Our Voices Woman of Distinction 2019 Honoree: Brenda Howerton
Durham, NC – The Woman of Distinction award will be presented to Durham County Commissioner Brenda Howerton on March 2nd in recognition of her work in the field of Public Service. The Aura Galleria will host its third annual “Our Minds, Our Voices” event, a powerful awards luncheon honoring “Women of Distinction” in observance of National Women’s History Month. Ten influential women will be honored in the categories of education, medicine, social justice, civil service, public service, technology, mental health, business, humanities and fashion and beauty.
This year’s luncheon will feature media pioneer Cathy Hughes, an African-American entrepreneur, radio and television personality and business executive. Hughes founded the media company Radio One (now known as Urban One), and when the company went public in 1999, she became the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded corporation. In the 1970s, Hughes created the urban radio format called “The Quiet Storm” on Howard University’s radio station WHUR with disc jockey and fellow Howard student Melvin Lindsay.
This electrifying event is expected to draw 300 women and men, including local area high school students, college students and vendors. Attendees of all ages and ethnicities are encouraged to attend.
About Brenda Howerton
Brenda Howerton was elected to the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 2008 and reelected in 2012 again in 2016, presently in her third term. On August 12, 2017, Commissioner Howerton was sworn in as President of the North Carolina Association of Counties. She is the first Durham County commissioner to be elected to a statewide senior leadership office. Her tenure as president will focus on the initiative announced on her installation night “100 Counties Helping Our Children Thrive.” Now serves as Immediate Past President.
Commissioner Howerton has served as Vice Chairman of the County Commissioner from 2012 until 2016. She also serves or have served on a number of local, state and national boards and commissions including: Durham Technical Board of Trustees, Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Authority, Downtown Durham Inc., Chair of the City/County Planning Committee, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Public Health Board, Triangle J Council Center of the Region, Durham City-County Committee Member, Durham Partnership for Children, Durham History Hub, Workforce Development Board and Co-Chair Transformation in Ten Education Task Force, Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (Stepping Up Initiative); appointed by governor Cooper to the Local Government Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees. (LGERS) and Served on the Emerging Issues Blue Ribbon Commission for early childhood financing.
She is also appointed by the President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) as Vice Chair of both the Healthy Counties Initiative Advisory Board and Work Force Subcommittee for the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee and a member of the Large Urban Caucus committee.
She received her B.S. Degree, in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude, from Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina and a certification in Executive Coaching from North Carolina State University. She is the owner of The Howerton Consulting, Inc. that specializes in organizational development and executive coaching for public and private industries. Her interest in county government stems from her education and work background. She not only has certifications in business, but also certifications from two political leadership institutions.
She was one of the first to complete the Advanced Leadership Corps offered by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government, a course offered to municipal and county elected leaders each year. Additionally, Commissioner Howerton completed the Local Leaders Academy (LELA). The LELA is a partnership with the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and the NC League of Municipalities offer elected officials the knowledge and skills needed to lead and govern their communities.
She is the recipient of the Human Relations Commission Award for commitment to inclusion from the Durham Human Relations Commission.
She moved to Durham in 1986, became a member of Union Baptist Church, raised four children – two of which graduated from Durham Public School and she has three wonderful grandchildren.
Vendor and exhibitor showcase: 11:00 am
Our Minds, Our Voices
Saturday, March 2, 2019
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
JB Duke Hotel
230 Science Drive
Durham, NC 27708