Commissioner Vilma D. Leake Honored with the 2024 Frederick Douglass Award for Lifelong Advocacy and Humanitarian Service

Commissioner Vilma D. Leake, a trailblazer in education, entrepreneurship, and public service, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Frederick Douglass Award for her unwavering dedication to the betterment of her community. With an impressive career, this accolade further solidifies her legacy as a trailblazer whose impact spans across local, state, national, and international platforms. Commissioner Leake’s contributions have profoundly changed the lives of countless individuals, particularly within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, where she has served on the Board of County Commissioners from 2008 until the present.

Since her election to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Leake has been a steadfast advocate for her community, and she has never missed a meeting. A retired educator with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Livingstone College and a Master’s Degree from the University at Buffalo, Commissioner Leake’s passion for learning has been evident throughout her career. She also completed her principalship certification at UNC Chapel Hill and pursued doctorate coursework at the University of San Francisco. Her role as a resolute public education leader began with her election to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, where she served to champion policies for student success and led efforts to provide mental health support within schools. Notably, she founded Project Motivation Inspiration, which encouraged at-risk youth to stay in school and pursue their goals, a legacy that continues to inspire educators today. Her solid educational foundation propelled her into a distinguished career in public service.

Commissioner Leake has championed education advocacy for decades, both in her role as a County Commissioner and previously as a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. During this time, she advocated for increased teacher salaries, which made headlines when she led a historic protest in 1989, rallying 20,000 teachers to the state capital in Raleigh, NC. Her work in education has left a profound mark. She was the North Carolina Association of Educators’ President for 16 years and was on the Executive Board for the North Carolina Unit in Raleigh. As a member of the Public Education Steering Committee of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), the National Board of the Large Urban Counties Caucus for the National Association of Counties (NACo), and Founder of the African American Faith Alliance for Educational Advancement, a 501c3 Nonprofit, Commissioner Leak has championed causes that promote the well-being of students and families which reflects her unwavering commitment wherein she advocated for mental health professionals in schools and the need for holistic family support to strengthen communities.

Commissioner Leake’s work is not limited to education; it extends to economic development with the founding of the Small Business Consortium (SBC), an impactful initiative that is designed to empower small business owners in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. What began as a modest group of five grew into a thriving network of over 1,700 business owners, all receiving help from Commissioner Leake’s visionary leadership. The SBC promotes economic growth, encourages networking, and provides development opportunities to local entrepreneurs, particularly women and minority-owned businesses. Her advocacy for small businesses is just one facet of Commissioner Leake’s commitment to economic justice. Recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship in driving economic empowerment, she started community forums that strengthened relationships between small businesses and government contractors. Today, the SBC continues to play a vital role in Mecklenburg County’s economic landscape.

Beyond her roles in government and education, Commissioner Leake’s commitment to the welfare of her constituents earned her numerous accolades for her leadership and humanitarian efforts, including the Legends Award, the Maya Angelou/Elizabeth Ross Dargan Lifetime Achievement Award (from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Education Association), and the Paul Leroy Robeson Award from The A.M.E. Zion National Church, among many others. She sponsored nine women to go to Africa, and her global humanitarian outreach includes multiple trips to Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Sweden, where she donated books, clothes, and computers to build churches and support local communities. A library in Nigeria now bears her name, a testament to her global influence.

As an active member of the historic Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church in Charlotte and the oldest and active Retired Missionary Supervisor, duly elected in 1972 when her husband, the late Reverend George Junius Leake, III, was elected Bishop in The A.M.E. Zion Church, serving Missouri to Alaska. She has held leadership roles in the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, where she was elected First Vice President for two terms, 1987-1995, and founded the “Walk-a-Mile for Second Mile” initiative that raises crucial funds for missionary work at home and abroad and promoting health and well-being through outreach programs. Dr. Leake has been a Delegate to the General Conference of The A.M.E. Zion Church since 1998 to the present. She has supported missions that impact communities locally and internationally. Commissioner Leake’s valuable contributions to the Charlotte community continue through various civic and social organizations such as The Eastern Star, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Black Political Caucus, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Executive Board Member of the NC Democratic Party, Chair of Precinct 138 in Mecklenburg County, the Black Political Caucus of Mecklenburg County, the National Council for Negro Women, and Jack and Jill of America. Also, she served as a model for Belk’s yearly fundraiser, Serenade to Autumn. Commissioner Leake’s tireless efforts have been recognized as a true humanitarian and enthusiastic champion of the underserved. Her legacy as a trailblazer for women and African Americans continues to inspire future generations.

Receiving the Frederick Douglas Award is a testament to Commissioner Leake’s lifelong dedication to education, public service, and advocacy for marginalized communities. With an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and economic opportunity, her legacy is one of a steadfast advocate who has never wavered in her mission to bring positive change to her community and beyond. With over 16 years as a County Commissioner, 11 years on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, and a lifetime of service to the people of Mecklenburg County, she is still an unstoppable force, driven by her passion for justice, equality, and progress. Her lifelong work exemplifies the legacy of Frederick Douglas himself, and this award acknowledges her unwavering commitment to building stronger communities, empowering the next generation, and fighting for equality for all. Commissioner Leake remains a beacon of hope and service to her community and the world at large.

Dr. Leake loves people, and for her, it’s all about the people. Congratulations, Commissioner Vilma D. Leake, on this well-deserved honor for your mission to create opportunities for others.