Durham County Government

Durham County Government proudly celebrates Women’s History Month! Women’s History Month is celebrated across the United States every March, highlighting the contributions that women have made to our society in every field and the work we still need to do to create equity in women’s experiences and stories. Whether you identify as a woman or an ally, we encourage you to celebrate women this month by learning about the historical contributions of women here in Durham and beyond. Durham County Library has opportunities throughout March to celebrate. Check out their events and activities calendar here: https://lnkd.in/ePqRXXsD

County Government ♥️ with our own Board Vice Chair Dr. Mike Lee #govluv

Durham County Government proudly recognizes and celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth. It provides the opportunity to honor the rich contributions, achievements, and resilience of the Black Community throughout history. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and understanding within Durham County. Together, we strive to acknowledge, learn from, and appreciate the diverse narratives that shape our collective history. #BHM

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Durham City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Employee Observance Program, created as an opportunity for local government employees to gather and commemorate the life and legacy of one of the most prominent social activists in American history. The event was well attended by City and County employees as well as the public. The remarks from yesterday’s program were filled with inspiration and reminders that there is still work to do in order for our country to realize the dream of Dr. King. The presiding officer for the program was Mayor Pro Temp Mark-Anthony Middleton. The posting of the colors by the City of Durham Fire Department Honor Guard was followed by a resounding edition of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing by singer and classically trained violinist Kimberly Michelle. A patriotic tribute to the United States flag was led by Durham County Emergency Medical Services Captain Helen Tripp with the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The invocation was delivered by Associate Pastor John Weicher of First Presbyterian Church. First Presbyterian has been the host location for the program since its inception two decades ago. The litany was a call and response led by City of Durham Budget and Management Services employee Carmen Ortiz and recited by the audience. The rich history of the program was highlighted in a special dedication made by former commissioner Rev. Dr. Michael D. Page, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church. A bio highlighting the speaker’s accomplishments was read by Angelique Stallings, Vice President of Community Investment for the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. Following the introduction, Dr. Anthony S. Lewis, Durham Public Schools Superintendent, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address. The program concluded with a Unity Prayer delivered by County Veteran’s Services employee Hellen Juarez-Ruiz. See more photos from the program on the Durham County Flickr page here: https://lnkd.in/eGtqzJdb You can view the program on our YouTube channel here: https://lnkd.in/eAZqBKKq Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in this amazing program! Also, thank you to the dedicated Durham County Government and City of Durham employees on the planning committee for putting together this incredible celebration!

Last Thursday, we held our annual DCo Honors program at the Durham Convention Center, a special evening dedicated to recognizing the outstanding contributions of our employees. The event honored those who reached significant service milestones, including employees with 5 to 40 years of service, as well as those who retired from public service. The event, organized by the Durham County Human Resources Department, was an evening to remember. County Manager Claudia Hager, Chief Human Resources Officer Kathy Everett-Perry, and members of the Board of County Commissioners delivered remarks recognizing the dedication and contributions of Durham County employees. This year, 60 employees were celebrated as they transitioned into retirement, marking careers that spanned from 5 to 40 years with Durham County. Congratulations to each of them as they move on to the next chapter of their lives! Employees reaching 5-year milestones in their careers were also honored: 100 employees reached the 5-year mark 46 employees celebrated 10 years of service 19 employees achieved 15 years 21 employees marked 20 years 34 employees reached 25 years 4 employees celebrated 30 years 2 employees achieved an incredible 35 years of service Congratulations, to these employees! Their dedication is the foundation of the work we do for Durham County residents, and we thank them for their commitment to public service! We are proud of all our employees for their hard work and dedication to Durham County. Thank you for all that you do!

In the latest issue of Durham Magazine, Durham County Public Health Director Rod Jenkins shares how his team is addressing our community's evolving health needs. From innovative programs to ensuring equitable access to care, Jenkins shines a spotlight on the incredible work that's being done by DCoPH staff to promote health and wellness across Durham. Read the feature here: https://lnkd.in/e4pieDJN A big thank you to Durham Magazine for highlighting our Public Health Director and the vital work of DCoPH staff! 

Our three new Durham Board of County Commissioners - Michelle Burton, Stephen Valentine, and Dr. Mike Lee - had their first Work Session on Monday. Starting this morning, the trio began their BOCC New Commissioner Orientation sessions with Durham County leadership and staff members inside the Administration I Building. Today's session first focused on introductions by the new Commissioners, followed by a get-to-know each other session with staff members. After that, County Manager Claudia Odom Hager gave a brief overview of the County. Next up, the Clerk to the Board, County Attorney's Office, and Strategy and Performance gave overviews of their departments. The day is scheduled to conclude with Agenda Review procedures. More training sessions will be on Dec. 13, 16, and 17. The BOCC's next Regular Session is on Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. We say, "Welcome Aboard!" to our new elected leaders and we look forward to working with you the next four years in making Durham County a wonderful place for everyone to live, grow & thrive!

Big things are happening at Durham County Economic Development! Their Fall 2024 newsletter is here, and it’s packed with exciting updates: •Celebrating collaborations with local workforce development nonprofits, including the amazing Life Skills Foundation. •Spotlighting the Innovate Durham Program, which is empowering local entrepreneurs. •Sharing key insights from their Business Recruitment Annual Report. •Highlighting early successes at the BULLS Life Sciences Academies. View the Durham County Economic Development Fall 2024 Newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gEXqiDhP

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to recognize all of our military and veteran families. This month, our Durham County Veteran Services Department has embraced this mission with events and outreach throughout the month. Last Friday, our Veteran Services team held its 13th Annual Veterans Day Recognition and Celebration Program, honoring the service and sacrifice of Durham County's veterans. The event featured a keynote address from Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Nimasheena Burns, who spoke about her family's connection to the military and what it means to her, plus her thoughts on the role of veterans in our future! Other speakers included County Manager Claudia Hager, Durham VA Health System Executive Director Dr. Alyshia Smith, DCo Veteran Services Department staff, and more! During the week before the Veterans Day holiday, many #DCo buildings and landmarks lit up the skyline in downtown Durham green as we joined Operation Green Light for Veterans. This nationwide celebration, held from Nov. 4-11, invited everyone to shine a green light of hope and support for veterans. Durham County Veteran Services called upon businesses and residents to do the same and shine a light of gratitude and support for our veterans throughout November by giving away free green light bulbs to residents. Durham County Government wants to shout out to all of Durham County's veterans who served our country bravely, as well as our DCo employees who are veterans or still serve with the military. To view more photos from the 13th Annual Veterans Day Recognition and Celebration Program, visit the official Durham County Government Flickr page here: https://lnkd.in/e36_bZU3

Durham County has partnered with SKLLD to offer free video resume services to job seekers. SKLLD is hosting a free workshop today at 6:30 pm at the Durham County Justice Services Building (326 E Main St) on how to build a video resume, no registration required. If you're looking to enhance your resume, bridge employment gaps, or add a personal touch to your application, this service can possibly help you stand out to employers. More information on SKLLD can be found here: https://www.hiresklld.com/