Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson will present the 34th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Spirit Award to Leslie White-Coursey of Atlantic City, on Tuesday.
The award is given in commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday to an outstanding resident who exemplifies his principles through their involvement in the community and their efforts to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. Monday will mark Dr. King’s 95th birthday.
“Leslie White-Coursey is an innovative and compassionate leader who has devoted her career to educating our youth, empowering our educators, and encouraging community involvement,” Levinson said in a news release. “She believes in the power of education to enrich and improve lives, much like Dr. King.”
Dr. King wrote, “Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from fiction. The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
White-Coursey is an interim executive county superintendent, serving as the liaison for the New Jersey Department of Education and all school districts and charter schools in Atlantic County. She has held this position for the past five years. Prior to this, she served in positions as principal and assistant principal in the Atlantic City school system.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Council 71 honored her with its Education Award.
White-Coursey earned her master of science in Educational Leadership and Administration from Walden University in Minneapolis, and her bachelor of science in Business Management from Rutgers University School of Business.
She serves as a member of several professional organizations, including Agape Community Life Center, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees, Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees, Cumberland County Vocational School Board of Trustees and the Cumberland County Human Relations Commission.
She and her husband Ernest have two sons. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her extended family that includes her mother, two sisters and nieces and nephews.
Levinson will present the Community Spirit Award during the Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday at 4 p.m. at 201 S. Shore Road, Northfield.
