CSK Dream Keeper Award
Claudette Cureton, 2010 CSK Dream Keeper Award Recipient
Claudette Cureton, 2010 CSK Dream Keeper Award Recipient
Congratulations to Dr. Claudette Cureton, 2010 CSK Dream Keeper Award Recipient
Dr. Claudette Cureton is the daughter of the late Professor John H. Chapman and the late Beatrice Washington Chapman Thomas. She is the wife of the late Reverend Dr. Stewart C. Cureton, and together they have four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dr. Cureton was born in Greenville County adn graduated as Valedictorian from the Chapman Grove High School. Dr. Cureton received a Bachelors of Arts degree in biology and psychology from Spellman College and holds a Masters Degree in Science from Fisk University. With an unceasing passion for furthering her and others’ education, she also attended South Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University. Her post-graudate studies included both Clemson University and the University of South Carolina (Columbia). Morris College awarded her the Doctor of Humanity Degree.
Dr. Cureton is a member of such prestigious organizations as the American Federal National Bank Advisory Board, the Greenville Chapter of Jack and Jill of American, Inc. (President) and the Heritage Trust Advisory Board for the State of South Carolina. She is a current member of the Executive Committee of the Greenville County Democratic Party, the Greenville County Interdenominational Ministers’ Wives and Widows Alliance and the SC Curriculum Congress. She also volunteers with the March of Dimes and contributes to SHARE, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and other charities.
Dr. Cureton was the first high school teacher to integrate the public schools in Greenville County in 1967. She taught at Sterling, Beck, and Wade Hampton High Schools in Greenville, SC as well as North Warren High School in Wise, NC. From 1973 – 1974 Dr. Cureton was a biology instructor at Greenville Technical College. She retired from education on June 1994.
Throughout her teaching career, Dr. Cureton received many honors and awards for her excellence, including Presidential Citations (Morris College, 1987 & 1991), Teacher of the Year awards (Greenville Technical College, 1992 – 1994) and “Who’s Who” listings for regional, field, national and world divisions (1993 -2009).
Coretta Scott King Dream Keeper Criteria
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace, and a soul generated by love.”
- Coretta Scott King
The MLK Dream Weekend Executive Board will award the annual Coretta Scott King Dream Keeper Award to one individual in recognition of Mrs. King’s commitment to, and betterment of, the Greenville community.
Selection Criteria
- A female that is active in the community
- Exemplifies the principles that Coretta Scott King supported, including, but not limited to:
- Providing service and/or advocating for disadvantaged and less fortunate individuals
- Investing time and energy in the community’s youth
- Promoting social justice
- Willingness to work behind the scenes for societal betterment without formal recognition or credit
- Implementing new and creative ways to impact the community
- Dedication to non-violence and peacefulness
- Monitoring the impact of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the world