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A longtime advocate for quality public education for all children, Beatrice “Bebe” Coker is this year’s recipient of the John H. Taylor Jr. Education Leadership award. Given by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its education affiliate, The Partnership, Inc., this prestigious award will be presented at the Superstars in Education Reception & Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2019. The event will be held at 4:45 p.m. in Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium. Ms. Coker has been a community activist in Delaware for over 50 years. She was appointed by former Governor Pierre S. du Pont to join the Citizens Alliance for Public Education to help ensure the peaceful desegregation of schools. She is a graduate of Morgan State University and has worked in social services, public and community relations, and diversity training. In addition to her community service and commitment to improving Delaware’s education system, Ms. Coker is a playwright, poet, and lyricist. Now retired, she has also served co-director of the Delaware Black Heritage Educational Theater Group, an organization that collaborates with literacy programs all over the city and county for African American youth, and as chair of the Stagehands of Christina Cultural Arts Center in Wilmington. The John H. Taylor Jr. Education Leadership Award recognizes someone within the community who has provided sustained leadership in advancing Delaware education and who, by doing so, has also made our community a better place in which to live and work. The Partnership, Inc. is the 501c3 education affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. About the John H. Taylor Jr. Education Leadership Award Throughout his professional career, Mr. Taylor was an educator. He began his career as a teacher, then served as the assistant to the superintendent of the Wilmington Public Schools. Taylor’s education background, coupled with his ability to share information and make connections served him well as he rose to become editorial page editor for The News Journal before becoming president of the Delaware Public Policy Institute in 2005. As founding member of the Vision Coalition, Taylor’s leadership and directness were instrumental in building an impactful public-private partnership to advocate for improved education in Delaware. Taylor’s leadership style was always straightforward, clear-headed and often unwavering. At the same time, he was a humorous and truly humble man. About The Partnership, Inc. The Partnership, Inc. is the 501c3 education affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. It was created to promote charitable and educational activities by developing and fostering programs that encourage private sector involvement in workforce development and education. Superstars in Education and Delaware Principal for a Day are the organization’s flagship programs. For information, contact info@dscc.com, or visit our website www.dscc.com.