Event Moderator

Keith Sutton, Chair, Wake County Schools Board of Education

Keith Sutton, Moderator is an education innovator, public servant, entrepreneur and advocate for children and families who have married his passion for education to his expertise in relationship management. Sutton is the founder of Focused LLC., a firm designed to support organizations in the improvement and transformation of education. Prior to FocusED, he spent time as the Excellence Director for BEST NC, an education think tank committed to improving North Carolina’s education system through policy and advocacy. A Rocky Mount, NC native,

Sutton has served through policy and advocacy. A Rocky Mount, NC native, Sutton has served his community in Raleigh for nearly two decades through work on boards and committees including the state’s NAACP, Triangle Urban League, Healthy Schools Task Force, Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Task Force, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the Southeast Raleigh Assembly and the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County. Sutton has served as a member of the Wake County Board of Education since 2009 and currently serves as the board chair. He also served as the board chair in 2013. He is a member of the Triangle East Chapter of l00 Black Men, Unity Lodge #64 of Prince Hall Masons, and the lota lota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Event Host

Dr. Betty Howell Gray, Founder & President, NC Alliance of Black School Educators

Dr. Betty Howell Gray, Founder & President, NC Alliance of Black School Educators, and NABSE Southeast Regional Representative. Dr. Gray dedicates herself to improving the quality of education and life for children and social issues that address equity and opportunity. Her journey along this road took her through the roles of teacher, director and consultant with over 38 years of service in Seattle Schools. She is currently a retired principal, administrator, serves on national boards, past board member of the Blue Ribbon Panel and professional volunteer consultant working with School Districts and NABSE Affiliates in the Southeast Region.

Dr. Gray has received numerous awards, proclamations and accomplishments including the Long Leaf Pine by NC Governor and most recently inducted into the 2020 Class of 50 Most Influential Women of Charlotte Mecklenburg by Mecklenburg Times. She organized three NABSE Affiliates since returning to North Carolina to enhance and facilitate the education and social development of all children, particularly black children. Dr. Gray also implemented the First MBK Initiative for Males of Color with NABSE’s Signature Program in Partnership with Charlotte Former Mayors and CMS for five years serving over 4000 Males with success. See website ncnabseaffiliates.org for comments from the young men. Dr. Gray earned her BS from NC A&T University; MA from the University of Washington; Doctorate from Fielding University, Education Leadership and Change. She has three lovely adult children—Frederick (Rita), Cedrick, and Kimberly. She is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church; listed in Who’s Who in the West, Who’s Who of American Women, Crown Jewels Chapter of the Links, Inc., and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Rho Psi Omega Chapter.

Educational Partner

Lynn Robson, Consultant, Zaner-Bloser

Lynn Robson is the supplemental sales consultant at Zaner-Bloser, where the mission is to help children become their best selves by providing literacy solutions that target foundational skills development and foster joyful, successful learning. Lynn partners with schools in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee to improve student success in handwriting, spelling, writing, word work, and more.

Mobilizing and Organizing in Our Communities