State of Durham's Children event focuses business attention on supporting early childhood through K-12 and beyond.

Nearly 200 business leaders from across Durham County attended the second State of Durham's Children: Engaging Busienss for Educational Progress on Sept. 23.

The collaborative event planned by Durham's Partnership for Children, Durham Public Schools and the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce was to focus attention on the need for business support by way of volunteering their talent, giving their time and sponsoring initiatives to further enhance our education system that begins at birth.

The event featured former NC Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. who spoke about the importance of investing in children at birth with early literacy, quality early childhood education and the schools, like Durham Public Schools' small schools and its Early College High Schools at Durham Tech and North Carolina Central University.

"The Durham business community can make a difference. I know you can do it. I know you can join together and do what needs to be done to reach out and help ensure children have a bright future and are building the skills necessary to make Durham strong, this economy strong...this state strong," he said.