Our story, our mission
Discover the heart behind the Bynum Educational Center and our unwavering commitment to empowering students in Burlington. Learn about our journey, our impact, and the people who make it all possible.
Our roots: a safe haven for learning
The E. Bynum Education Center was founded by Ernestine Lewis with a clear vision: to create a "safe haven" and academic lifeline for at-risk youth in Burlington. She was particularly driven by the need to bridge the achievement gap for minority students. While officially becoming part of the statewide "Support Our Students" (SOS) initiative in 1997, its founding was deeply rooted in a desire to address educational inequity.
Empowering through education & culture
Ernestine Lewis saw a critical need for high-quality tutoring accessible to families who couldn't afford private learning centers. Her goal was to ensure students in grades K–8 had a place to promote education regardless of their socioeconomic status. A major part of her inspiration was the belief that children succeed when they understand their own history, leading her to build the center with a specific goal to provide resources for children to learn African American Culture, fostering a strong sense of heritage.
Making a lasting impact in burlington
The E. Bynum Education Center has profoundly impacted the Burlington community by bridging education and mental health support. In a region where specialized resources can be fragmented, we've transformed the traditional after-school model into a comprehensive "safety net." We bridge the literacy gap by focusing on "remedial literacy," improving reading proficiency for K–8 students from under-resourced neighborhoods. We've served as a "safe haven" for decades, reducing unsupervised after-school hours and engaging students in productive technology and leadership training. Cultural pride, integrated through African American history and culture, serves as a powerful catalyst for our students' success.
"The E. Bynum Education Center provided a nurturing environment that truly transformed my child's confidence and academic performance. They're more than just an after-school program; they're family."
A Proud Parent, Burlington NC