Craven County Partners In Education Announces Plans for the PIE Annual Luncheon
More than 500 educators, business leaders, community members, and elected officials will gather at the Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, for the highly anticipated PIE Annual Luncheon. This annual event supports and recognizes the dedicated educators of Craven County Schools while raising funds to enrich classroom instruction through teacher grants. Since 2010 PIE has awarded an estimated 2.5 million in grants; raised over $543,000 in event sponsorships; and $424,150 in In-Kind gifts.
Suzanne Gifford, Executive Director of Partners In Education, announced that this year’s keynote speaker will be Jason Griffin, Executive Director of Elementary Education and Federal Programs for Craven County Schools, and a former North Carolina Principal of the Year.
Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. for seating, with the program beginning at noon. Tickets are $35 per person, and the event is open to the public. Lunch will be catered by The Flame. Si Seymour, former Coach at West Craven High School and a current board member of the Harold H. Bate Foundation, will emcee the event alongside Don Brinkley, President of Partners In Education Board. Tickets can be purchased from the PIE Ambassadors or online at CravenPartners.com. Organizers encourage early purchases, as this is expected to be another sold-out event.
Don Brinkley, President of the Partners In Education Board, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “The luncheon is an excellent opportunity for our community to support our public-school educators. The event finances PIE Grants, grants awarded to teachers for creative and innovative projects in Craven County Schools’ classrooms. These grants fund materials for technology, science, music, and art projects, along with supplies and books for our students.” Mr. Brinkley proudly announced that PIE awarded over $31,000 in PIE Grants during the 2024-25 school year.
This year’s theme, Turning Setbacks into Comebacks, will be brought to life by Mr. Griffin, whose inspiring career in education spans 23 years. Brandy Popp, Chair of the Fund-Raising Committee, shared her excitement about this year’s PIE Annual Luncheon, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Griffin as our keynote speaker and share his powerful message with our community.”
Mr. Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University (ECU), an administration degree from Elizabeth City State University, a master’s degree in middle grades mathematics from ECU and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, also from ECU. Throughout his career, Mr. Griffin has served as a teacher, mentor, and administrator consistently fostering environments where students and educators can thrive. Currently, he serves as president of both the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators, one of two organizations dedicated to elementary education, and the North Carolina Association of Federal Program Administrators. In 2023, he was honored with the National Association of Federal Program Administrators Award, recognizing him as one of the top federal program directors in the country. A former advisor to the North Carolina State Board of Education, Mr. Griffin was also recognized by the current President of the United States as a National Distinguished Principal.
PIE’s Partners for the Luncheon are AlphaGraphics, B/S/H/ Home Appliances Corporation, CarolinaEast Health System, Century 21 Zaytoun-Raines, Chevrolet of New Bern, Coastal Carolina Health Care, P.A., Craven Community College, Craven County ABC Board, Craven Pamlico Regional Library, Duke Energy, Edward Jones Investments Financial Advisors: Michael Bass, Georgiana Bowman, Joanna Carr, Robert Knisley, Kevin Page, Taylor Paramore, Dan M. Roberts IV, Jordan Silver, Bruce Fortin and Mike Sprague, First Citizens Bank, International Paper, Mitchell Hardware, Moen, Morgan’s Tavern & Grill, Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas, Pierce Group Benefits, The Harold H. Bate Foundation, The New Bern Sun Journal, Toyota of New Bern, Trent Cadillac GMC Buick, Truist, United Bank, Weyerhaeuser, White & Allen, P.A., WITN-TV, and WRNS 95.1 & WERO Bob 93.3. Supporting Partners: Fisher Fuel Markets, Marine Federal Credit Union, and Navy Federal Credit Union.
To learn more about PIE grants and programs, how to be a PIE Partner, and to purchase a ticket, contact Suzanne Gifford, Executive Director, Craven County Partners In Education, at 252-259-5610 or visit https://cravenpartners.com/.
Craven County Partners In Education provides grant funding and special programs to classrooms and schools within the Craven County Schools system. It is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation, Tax ID #56-1335975, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Since 1989, PIE has been changing the lives of students and families in our community by providing our educators with financial resources that enhance and reward innovative approaches to educational excellence.
