Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton is the Board chair and founder of West Street Society for Historic Preservation. She stopped by our studio today and spoke about the project: ...

West Street Society to honor oldest alumna at school fundraiser in New Bern

Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton is the board chair and founder of the West Street Society for Historic Preservation.

New Bern school board weighs sale of historic West Street School

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of August 3, 2026, Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton did not have a website or any information online.

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Said the West Street Society for Historic Preservation submitted 1,000 signatures supporting the establishment of a museum honoring freed slaves' first opportunity to learn to write their names.

The West Street Society for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit that is attempting to stop the sale with petitions, appeal to reason and legal redress, said Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton, founder of the nonprofit. “We have submitted a thousand signatures from a wide variety of community members to the Craven County Board of Education supporting the establishment of a museum honoring the first opportunity for freed slaves to learn to write their names,” Hargett-Lawton said.

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Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton

As of August 3, 2026, Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

I went to this school in first grade in 1948.

Former student, Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton, says she is committed to buying the school and turning it into a museum.

Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton attended West Street School in first grade in 1948.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dr. Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton, Executive Director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning, obtained a B.S. in Chemistry, an M.S in Special Education; and an Ed.D. She has been an educator, author, researcher, and consultant.

20190926-2019 Up from Poverty: How an Urban School Transformed the Lives and Families of Students in DC – ASPA National Capital Area Chapter

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dr. Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton, Executive Director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning, obtained a B.S. in Chemistry, an M.S in Special Education; and an Ed.D. She has been an educator, author, researcher, and consultant. Currently, she provides strategic planning for educational programming, diversity and sensitivity training, and consults in special education, correctional education, teacher training, curriculum development, and school reform and restructuring.

Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton is the Board chair and founder of West Street Society for Historic Preservation. She stopped by our studio today and spoke about the project:

Cleopatra Hargett-Lawton is the executive director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning, where she provides strategic planning for educational programming and consulting in special education, correctional education, teacher training, curriculum development, and school reform and restructuring. She is also the board chair and founder of the West Street Society for Historic Preservation.

Supports establishing a museum honoring the first opportunity for freed slaves to learn to write their names.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Jennifer Dacey

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