Our Actions

We are deepening support for educational equity through a lead contribution to the Durham Public Schools Foundation campaign for digital equity for Durham students, partnerships on internet connectivity with the city, and broadening connections between Durham students and Duke students.

Update, June 2022: The Office of Durham and Community Affairs is investing in five core priorities for advancing equity in Durham, including Early Childhood Education and College and Career Readiness.

We are collaborating with community-based organizations and local government to address community health disparities as measured by social indicators such as housing, early childhood development, and nutrition. We have also committed $5 million to the community for COVID-19 relief and sustained engagement through our Duke-Durham Fund.

Update, June 2022: The Office of Durham and Community Affairs is investing in five core priorities for advancing equity in Durham: Housing Affordability, Food Security and Nutrition, Early Childhood Education, College and Career Readiness, and Nonprofit Capacity.

We will coordinate and expand work-based learning opportunities for high school and college students through programs such as Summer Internship Program with North Carolina Central University, the Summer Enrichment Program for the National Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, and the Made in Durham internship program, and other partnerships with the city and local nonprofits.

We will significantly expand efforts to recruit from HBCUs and community colleges for our undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, as well as for staff positions at Duke.

We will offer new apprenticeship programs in partnership with community colleges including Durham Tech, as well as expanding Duke’s supplier diversity program and providing training for departments to encourage diverse sourcing.