“Built here. Now what?” That was the message delivered by Ron Green, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region, during Edgecombe Community College’s commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8.

Green emphasized the role of community colleges in shaping students’ futures, telling graduates that being “built” at a community college carries meaning.

ECC’s Barbering program was proudly represented at Rocky Mount High School’s Career Day held recently. Our students engaged with attendees, shared program information, and spoke with those interested in pursuing barbering as a career path. Participating students, pictured left to right, were Samerah Taylor‑Dodd, Jabaria Bowser, Jacob Pindea and Daniel Bridgers.

ECC invites the public to celebrate the outstanding students who recently earned top honors at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Greensboro, N.C.

A recognition event will be held Tuesday, May 19, from 3:30–5 p.m. in the Barnhill-Jenkins Center for Innovation’s Multipurpose Room. Students who competed at the state conference, held April 15–17, will be recognized for their achievements.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount, the Tackle the Tar 5K Obstacle Course Race generates proceeds that support scholarships for local students. ECC is looking for runners to join our team on Saturday, May 16! The registration deadline is Thursday, May 14 by 12 pm. Registration is free, and the ECC Foundation will award prizes to the top three finishers on the ECC team. If you’d prefer to skip the 5k but still want to get involved, we would love to have you on our volunteer team. Your support ensures a great experience for both our runners and the community.

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club is gearing up for the annual Tackle the Tar 5K Obstacle Course Race on Saturday, May 16, 2026 — and we need YOUR help to make one of the biggest community events in Eastern North Carolina happen!

It takes nearly 200 volunteers to pull off this incredible Rocky Mount community fundraiser that helps provide scholarships for students attending Edgecombe Community College, Nash Community College, and NC Wesleyan University. Race day would NOT happen without our amazing volunteers!

Trishonda Roberson remembers her father, the late Hanks Roberson, as a man who never hesitated to help others. A self-taught and highly respected mechanic, he built a reputation not only for his skill but for his generosity.

“We saw our dad work hard,” Trishonda recalls. “He worked on cars for people who couldn’t afford to pay him. He was always about helping, about community, and about making sure people learned the trade.”