On Monday, August 3, 2009, the Durham Board of County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled Work Session meeting. Following a closed session, the Board appointed long-standing Deputy County Attorney Lowell Siler as the First African American Durham County Attorney. Siler will be sworn in on Monday, August 10th at 7 PM.

Lowell Siler is a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina. He attended Goldsboro High School and graduated in1972.

Siler earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate degree from North Carolina Central University, located in Durham, North Carolina.

He was admitted to the State of North Carolina Bar in 1985. Prior to joining Durham County Government in October 1987 as assistant county attorney, Siler worked for Spaulding and Williams Attorney at Law located in Durham.

In recent years, Siler served as president of Durham County Bar and on the Board of Directors for the 14th Judicial District. Siler is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the Alpha Tau Boule Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi.

Public Administration Department Remebers Donice Harbor

Donice Maria Harbor was a humanitarian, grassroots activist, public servant and friend. She peacefully departed from this life on July 15, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Donice Maria Harbor was born on October 20, 1972, to Thomas and Stella Harbor.

She was educated in the Forsyth County Public Schools, graduating from Carver High School in 1991. She graduated from Fayetteville State University, where she majored in political science. In 1999, Donice graduated from North Carolina Central University with a master's degree in public administration.

While in graduate school, Donice began her career in public service, working as a Legislative Intern at the North Carolina General Assembly under the guidance of the late Senator Jeanne Lucas. In January 2001, Donice became the Director of Public Liaison for Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue. Following Perdue's election as governor, Donice was appointed as the Director of Faith & Citizens Outreach, the position in which she served until her health began to fail.

Donice was Lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In 2001, she joined the Knightdale-Wake Forest Alumnae Chapter Of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she remained an active member until her departure. She was an active member in the Wendell-Wake Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she worked tirelessly to ensure that the voice of the African American would always be heard.

In addition to all of the aforementioned organizations, Donice was a member of the Healthy Workplace Initiative Advisory Board of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development and the North Carolina Community Development Initiative Board of Directors. Donice Maria Harbor was a consistent supporter for both the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and its Foundation. Her humanitarian spirit and humbleness far exceeded her mere 36 years of life.

Donice was preceded in death by her father, Thomas E. Harbor. She is survived by her mother, Stella B. Harbor; her brother, Kerry T. Harbor (Christiana Harbor); her beloved fiancé, Marcus J. Davis; one niece, Kristiana Harbor; two nephews, Thomas Harbor and Taven Taylor; her sister, Tonya Taylor; her grandmother, Lucille Bradshaw; aunts, Sarah H. Martin, Mary E. Samuel, and Carolyn Hairston (Nathaniel); an uncle Freddie R. Bradshaw (Elder Debra); great aunts, Estell Hall and Rosa Gallimore, and a host of cousins, friends and other relatives.

The Omega Omega ceremony was held at 2:00 p.m Sunday, July 19, 2009 at the Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, 5095 Lansing Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. The family visitation was from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the church. Homegoing services were held at 3:30 p.m. with Reverend Michael Samuels officiating. Interment followed in the Piedmont Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at www.russellfuneralservice.com

SBA Appoints MPA Student to Key Agency Senior Staff

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the appointment of several members of the leadership and management team of SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills."The SBA has the vital role of helping the nation's small businesses access the resources and capital they need to survive and build," Mills said.  "I am pleased to appoint these experienced and dedicated public servants to the SBA team.  They recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, and they will help the SBA deliver on this promise."

Recently appointed members of the management team include Michael Brown, special assistant to the chief of staff.  Previously, Brown served as a regional field director for the Obama for America Campaign for Change, where he was responsible for developing strategies aimed at increasing the electorate in Atlanta and Detroit.  He was also the regional political director for several states during the campaign primaries.  Brown holds a master's degree in public administration from North Carolina Central University and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of South Carolina.