Elizabeth City, N.C. — Literacy is more than reading words on a page—it’s how we understand the world and our place in it. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is investing in that mission with a $29,000 grant from North Carolina’s America 250 NC initiative to launch Gathering Voices: A Young People’s Literary Festival. The festival is a dynamic two-day celebration of storytelling, culture and creativity slated for March 2026.
Debra Rook—lecturer of composition, literature and technical writing, wrote and submitted the application for the NC 250 grant in Dec. 2024. Her department will receive funds from the state Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources dedicated to celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative recently dispersed nearly $900,000 in grant funds across 34 counties in the state. The grant program is designed to spark commemoration programs and activities on a local level.
“These America 250 grants will serve as catalysts for local participation in the nationwide commemoration of our nation’s founding,” said DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson. “We look forward to working with communities across the state to build a memorable and meaningful celebration for all North Carolinians.”
ECSU’s festival will bring award-winning children’s and young adult authors, poets, illustrators and storytellers to the ECSU campus and feature author readings, writing and illustration workshops, and a community celebration with music, performances and food vendors.
“We are working to partner with public schools in the surrounding counties to bring students to ECSU. While we are in the early stages of planning now, we hope local schools, community organizations and businesses will join us to make the festival open and accessible for all youth and families in the region,” said Rook.
Day one will focus on bringing K-12 students from surrounding counties for immersive educational experiences, while the second day will welcome the community.
As a regional institution, ECSU’s Department of English, History and Interdisciplinary Studies is uniquely positioned to host this celebration of North Carolina’s literary landscape.
“Gathering Voices is more than a literary event—it’s a movement to honor the richness of our stories, especially those shaped by the voices of youth,” said Charles Reed, Ph.D., director of general education, chair and associate professor of history. “We want students to see themselves as creators of history, not just readers of it.”
Rook plans to reach out to local authors and artists to host workshops for the community and sell their work at the festival. “We are working to partner with public schools in the surrounding counties to bring students to ECSU for author presentations and writing workshops for kids and teens,” Rook said.
As ECSU prepares to gather voices across the region, the organizers hope the festival will be a turning point where stories are not just told—but heard, shared and remembered. In the pages of America’s 250-year history, this celebration ensures young voices will help write the next chapter.
For more information about America 250 NC, visit america250.nc.gov.