
History Counts Award
The award created in honor of Dorothy Counts-Scoggins. Affectionately referred to as “Dot” – she has dedicated her life working to enrich the lives of others and organizations in which to ultimately create a more just and caring world. After her experience with the desegregation of schools in Charlotte NC, she chose a life to ensure that all children would receive a quality education regardless of their race, religion and culture. In addition, be free from injustice and learn to live in a diverse world and be accepting of others.
In 1957, Dot at 15 years of age, began her journey as one of 4 African American students to change the inequality of Education in Charlotte NC and across the country. The two block walk toward the front door of Harding High school was met with racial opposition from students and adults through harassment and abuse. Upon entering the auditorium of the school it also continued. After four days of harassment, abuse and non-acceptance by her peers, teachers and administration, her parents withdrew her and she furthered her education in Yeadon Pennsylvania and Asheville North Carolina.
The History Counts Award exists to create and establish a process to acknowledge, encourage, and support those who promote history, democracy, civic engagement and community to build a path to support youth in PK – 20 settings to develop and implement social justice projects across the state.
Awardees are educators, students, community members from the educational districts across NC who will work together to:
- Determine a need and develop a social justice project grounded in historical perspectives to respond to the need to better the community, school, and/or state
- Eradicate a short or long-term injustice
- Develop a plan to implement the response to the need which will include a plan to sustain the work post any transitions
2024 History Counts Awardees
History Counts Youth-Led Mini Grants

The Dudley Flood Center is offering Youth-Led Mini Grants to support youth-driven projects that promote history, civic engagement, and social justice within their communities. These grants encourage young leaders to develop and implement projects that address local issues through a historical lens, grounded in the principles of equity and community empowerment. The program is a nod to the “History Counts” award, aiming to foster youth leadership, democratic participation, and social justice efforts across North Carolina.
- Youth-Led: The project must be led by youth under the age of 18. Adult partners or mentors are welcome but the project leadership must come from youth.
- Issue-Based: The project should address a clearly defined issue that is grounded in historical perspectives and promotes social justice. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will better the community, school, or state by addressing a long-term or short-term injustice.
- Partnerships: Youth applicants should partner with a community-based organization, school, or local group that aligns with their project’s goals. Strong partnerships will be considered a plus, especially if they enhance the project’s impact and sustainability.
- Sustainability: Projects that can demonstrate long-term impact and a plan for sustaining the work post-grant are encouraged. How will the grant contribute to the larger strategic goals of the project, and how will the work continue beyond the immediate funding?
- Operational Excellence: Proposals must include a clear budget that outlines how the grant funds will be used. Successful proposals should also detail how success will be measured, whether through community impact, youth engagement, or another method.
- Recipients are required to submit a final report detailing the project’s impact, how the funds were spent, and receipts by the end of their grant term.
- All projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant.
- This mini-grant is an opportunity for youth across North Carolina to lead initiatives that advance social justice, promote historical understanding, and build a more equitable future.
- Submission: Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Funding Decision: Applications will be reviewed by a committee at the Dudley Flood Center. Youth leaders will receive notification of their funding status within four weeks of submission.
- The grant cannot be used for purchasing alcohol or engaging in partisan political activities.
- Projects must have a North Carolina-based focus, connecting youth to community initiatives in one of the state’s 8 educational regions.
- Projects should reflect the principles of social justice by addressing specific needs or injustices within their community, school, or state.
History Counts Blogs

History tells a story that informs the future. It shapes our understanding, inspires our path forward, and builds our faith in the face of adversity. We show that #HistoryCounts when we honor and learn from the experiences of those who’ve come before us. History helps us to create new opportunities for hope, resilience, and change.
We use #HistoryCounts moments as a way to ground our work in truth, to tell the stories told less frequently, and to speak truth to power. #HistoryCounts moments highlight significant people and events in history and show the connections between the past and present. We hope that you find these moments informative and inspiring.
#HistoryCounts Blogs