Sarah led the Downtown Kinston Mural Program, a public art initiative funded by a $100,000 NEA Our Town Grant; the grant involved the creation of seven unique, outdoor public murals intended to enhance connectivity between cultural and economic assets in Kinston’s city center. Two of the murals honor Kinston’s Civil Rights heroes and will contribute to the ongoing community conversations about social justice. Additionally, she created Kinston 101, the city’s first citizen academy. The program had 40 citizens participate in the inaugural class. The curriculum helped citizens gain better access to their leaders.

Arney earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and public policy from UNC-Chapel Hill. As an undergraduate, she was a Carolina Scholar and a Buckley Public Service Scholar. She also collaborated with the Community Empowerment Fund, assisting community members in achieving their goals related to housing, employment, and financial independence. This experience taught her about trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Housing First principles to navigate Orange County resources.