At the Durham Bulls’ stadium, where cheers usually echo for home runs, a different kind of victory was celebrated last week. The spotlight wasn’t on athletes, but on educators, volunteers, and leaders from Crayons2Calculators (C2C), the Durham-based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every Durham Public Schools (DPS) teacher has the classroom supplies they need.
In front of fans, the C2C team—Euba McKoy, Dr. Eunice Sanders, Interim Executive Director Brianna Kennedy, and dedicated volunteer Luke Dary—was recognized as Hometown Heroes, a title that speaks to their tireless work in education equity.
A Community Lifeline for Teachers
Since its founding in 2006, Crayons2Calculators has been a quiet lifeline for teachers. By partnering with local businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, the group provides free classroom materials that teachers would otherwise pay for out of pocket.
According to national studies, teachers spend an average of $750 a year of their own money on supplies. For many DPS educators—working in schools where budgets are stretched thin—that number can climb higher. C2C’s mission is simple but profound: eliminate that burden.
“Every pencil, every notebook, every calculator we provide means a teacher can focus on teaching, not their personal finances,” Kennedy has emphasized in community conversations.
The Leadership of Brianna Kennedy
Stepping into her role as Interim Executive Director, Brianna Kennedy has guided C2C during a time of both expansion and challenge. Under her leadership, the nonprofit has strengthened ties with local institutions like the Durham Bulls, SERVPRO, and the Blue Note Grill, helping ensure not just financial support, but community buy-in.
Colleagues describe Kennedy as a leader who combines strategic vision with a hands-on approach. She is often seen loading boxes of supplies alongside volunteers or speaking directly with teachers about what they need most.
“Brianna is a connector,” one DPS official shared. “She brings together teachers, parents, businesses, and the broader Durham community. She makes sure everyone feels like they’re part of the solution.”
Her leadership has helped turn initiatives like Play It Forward for Crayons2Calculators into city-wide events, where music, food, and philanthropy intersect to create lasting impact.
A Night of Music, A Mission of Equity
On September 18, supporters will gather at the Blue Note Grill for Play It Forward for Crayons2Calculators, a fundraiser featuring the local band Play It Forward. With SERVPRO as the title sponsor, the evening is about more than entertainment—it’s about providing thousands of DPS students with tools to learn and thrive.
Kennedy has framed the event as both a fundraiser and a rallying cry. “When our teachers win, our students win. And when our students win, Durham wins,” she has said.
Why It Matters for Durham
The work of C2C under Kennedy’s leadership extends beyond school supplies—it speaks to Durham’s broader fight for equity. For underserved communities, where families may already face economic barriers, free classroom resources can make the difference between engagement and disconnection.
At a time when public education faces national pressures—budget cuts, teacher shortages, and political battles—Kennedy and her team are reminding Durham of a simple truth: supporting teachers is supporting the future.
Bull City Citizen’s Commitment
At Bull City Citizen, we see stories like Crayons2Calculators as the backbone of Durham’s identity. They highlight not just challenges, but solutions—and the leaders who turn vision into impact.
As the school year unfolds, we’ll continue to follow Brianna Kennedy’s leadership at C2C, shining a light on how Durham’s educators and nonprofits are working together to ensure every child has the chance to succeed.
📌 Want to help? Visit crayons2calculators.org or join the community fundraiser September 18 at the Blue Note Grill.
