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School of Government

Lead for North Carolina

Cohort 2

Jurisdiction: Shelby

University: Davidson College

Hometown: Weaverville, NC

Shelby Holmes served her fellowship with the City of Shelby. She worked with the Human Resources department to research, pilot, and launch an applicant tracking system for job postings. She also launched the City’s public art program. Holmes created an informal group to identify ways to uplift local Black history, including a social media campaign shared across partner organizations, a successful application to the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, and the creation of a community group devoted to recognizing unmarked graves in the City Park.

Holmes graduated from Davidson College with bachelor’s degrees in sociology as well as gender and sexuality studies. While at Davidson, she received honors for her original research and induction into Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Her previous experiences include extensive work in arts and cultural programming, stakeholder-based philanthropy, and social research.

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