Atlantic City, NJ Resident & State – County Leader Just Wowed Me

I didn’t just want to write this article … I had to write this article.

After arriving to my home office following a meeting, I turned on my television. My wife had it set to a local Atlantic County, New Jersey government access channel.

On my television screen was Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, who was delivering his annual state of the county budget address before the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners.

I arrived towards the very end of Levinson’s address … which directly led into a special presentation (by Levinson) of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award.

This was my first-ever glimpse of Leslie White-Coursey, who is the Interim Executive County Superintendent … where she serves as the liaison for the New Jersey Department of Education and all school districts and charter schools in Atlantic County.

White-Coursey has held her state position for the past five years. Prior to this, she served in positions as principal and assistant principal in the Atlantic City public schools system.

She started her career as a technology coordinator and a first grade teacher.

White-Coursey is the recipient of the 34th annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Spirit Award … which was presented to her on January 16, 2024 … The day after Dr. King‘s 95th birthday.

White-Coursey is the only reason that I’m writing this article. I was just wowed by her elegance, class, professionalism and humble nature.

There is no doubt in my mind that Atlantic County Commissioner Ernest Coursey married up and married well.

Leslie White-Coursev is an innovative and compassionate leader who has devoted her career to educating our vouth, empowering our educators, and encouragina community involvement. She believes in the power of education to enrich and improve lives, much like Dr. King, said Levinson.

Description of the Dr. King Spirit Award:

”The award is given in commemoration of Dr. King's birthday to an outstanding resident who exemplifies his principles through their involvement in the community and their efforts to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.”

Upon receiving the award, White-Coursey said that she would be brief in her public remarks.

She quoted some very profound words, first spoken by Dr. King, saying:

Dr. King's persistent question is "what are you doing for others?,

said White-Coursey.

Dr. King also said that, "Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from fiction. The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

White-Coursey is also the recipient of The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Council 71 Education Award.

White-Coursey serves as a member of several professional organizations including:

• Agape Community Life Center.
• Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees.
• Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees.
• Cumberland County Vocational School Board of Trustees.
• Cumberland County Human Relations Commission.

I hope you enjoyed our well deserved spotlight that we shined on Leslie White-Coursey … Who is a real asset to her community, county and state.