Nominating Organization: NAACP
Title: Third Vice President
A native Houstonian, Carol has maintained a lifelong commitment to education. She attended the historic Phyllis Wheatly High School, San Jacinto Junior College, and the University of Houston. She began her career with Texas Instruments, served as a representative for Southwestern Bell (AT&T) and worked as an organizer with the AFL-CIO.
Carol went on to serve as a teacher’s representative with the Houston Federation of Teachers. She served on the Houston Independent School District Board, a member of the Texas Education Agency Advisory Committee for Technology, a PTA president, and a member of the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) Education Committee. Expanding her commitment to education, Carol was appointed to the National Commission for African American Education by U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Throughout her career in education she was employed by additional educational entities and positively impacted, students, teachers, and organizations.
A dedicated public servant, Carol was the first African-American woman to represent Houston ISD District II as a Board of Trustee member and was the first African-American woman to represent the Houston City Council District B seat, which she held and served for three consecutive two-year terms. She uplifted her community and fought to provide her district with improved city services, paved streets, streetlights, and renovations. She represented the people and worked diligently to ensure the community was given equal access and resources to ensure the safety, well-being, and education of its citizens.
As mentee of A. Phillip Randolph, Carol was elected the President of the NAACP Houston Branch for two terms and currently serves as Third Vice President. She is committed to improving the lives of others, leading non-profits, and civic organizations throughout the City of Houston. Carol served on the Board of Directors of Communities in Schools and the Northeast YMCA. Former Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire appointed Carol to the position of Affirmative-Action Commissioner, as well as Kashmere Gardens Redevelopment Commissioner for the City of Houston.
Carol is a member of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. National Women of Achievement, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., National Council of Negro Women, American Leadership Forum Class X, Harris County Black Democrats, Harris County Black Caucus, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Northeast Concerned Citizens League and Kashmere Gardens Baptist Church.
She has been the recipient of awards and honors for her exemplary commitment to educational excellence, social justice, and civil rights. She received the UNCF Distinguished “Lou Rawls Parade of Stars” Leadership Award, the National NAACP Benjamin Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award and was selected as 1995 Top Lady of the Year.