Nellie B. King

Nellie B. King was raised in a rural area of Mississippi called Foxworth, near Columbia. Her professional career of more than 35 years has centered on education, serving school communities as a teacher, elementary school principal, a principal of secondary curriculum and instruction, and as the first African American Superintendent of the Lackawanna City School District.

During a decade as Superintendent of the Lackawanna City School District, Mrs. King developed and initiated the Kids in Spotlight Program, Lackawanna Center for Family Achievement, and the District Model Aids Program. During the 1998-99 academic year, she researched selected school district strong arts education and humanities programs across the country for the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, which resulted in a published report, “Gaining the Arts Advantage.”

On November 19, 1999, Mrs. King was one of the national participants selected by the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture to partake in a roundtable discussion with Shirley R. Watkins, Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Under Mrs. King’s leadership, the Lackawanna School District initiated new opportunities for student success such as early grade reduced class size, a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, extended day/school violence prevention, and the Gear-up program.

In the community, Mrs. King has provided civic and religious services throughout the nation. Focusing on youth and adult leadership, she holds mentorship in the highest regard, making it a priority to empower others to take on leadership roles. Since launching her girls mentoring program in 2008, Unlimited Possibilities Overcoming Poverty Ministry, Inc. has helped 75 young women pursue their college aspirations with scholarships totaling $75,000. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, citations, and other honors. She believes in “doing what she can to serve mankind and do the work of the Lord.”

Mrs. King earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College in Lorman, Mississippi, and a Master of Science degree in Education from Canisius College in Buffalo. She has a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from the University at Buffalo and is certified by Buffalo State College in social studies, school administration, and supervision.