County commissioners from around North Carolina have chosen Guilford County Commissioner Carolyn Coleman to receive an award that pays tribute to her contributions to the welfare of minorities as well as other contributions she’s made to the community at large. 

Coleman was named the recipient of the award in Wilmington – where the annual state convention of county commissioners and county executives was being held.

The Frederick Douglass Award winner is selected each year by a committee of black county commissioners from across the state.  This year, Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston served on the committee – North Carolina Association of Black County Officials – which grants the award every year.

Through the award, the group recognized Coleman for outstanding and dedicated service as a county commissioner as well as her work with the disenfranchised.

Some of the things that came into play in the selection of Coleman were her efforts to raise the minimum wage of Guilford County’s lowest-paid employees, her championing of larger teacher pay supplements and the role she played in 2020 and 2021 in organizing food drives during the pandemic.

To be eligible for the award, one must be a county commissioner for at least eight years and have numerous accomplishments during that time.  

Coleman has more than twice that many years under her belt. 

At county meetings, Coleman, a Democrat representing District 7 for the past two decades, is constantly pushing for more minority business participation in county contracts and for higher pay for county employees. 

She also keeps a close eye on the Department of Social Services and takes a keen interest whenever there are problems arising from that department.

Alston, who has never won the award, said he was delighted to see it go to such a worthy recipient this year.