GREENSBORO, N.C. — A longtime Wayne County leader and advocate for early childhood education has received statewide recognition for his dedication to children and families.
William “Bill” R. Batts was honored with the 2026 Karen W. Ponder Leadership Award during the closing luncheon of the 2026 Smart Start Conference in Greensboro. The award, presented by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to strengthening early childhood systems across North Carolina.
Batts was nominated by the Partnership for Children of Wayne County for his years of service supporting local families, child care providers, and early learning initiatives.
“Bill’s leadership has been instrumental in sustaining high-quality early care and education in Wayne County,” said Valerie Wallace of the Partnership for Children of Wayne County. “His dedication to children, families, and providers has strengthened our local system in lasting ways, and we are proud to see him recognized statewide.”
Batts serves as Vice President of Small World Child Care Center and Treasurer of the Partnership for Children of Wayne County. Community leaders say his work has helped strengthen collaboration among child care providers, local organizations, and community leaders while also contributing to statewide discussions surrounding child care workforce challenges and education quality.
The Karen W. Ponder Leadership Award was established to honor individuals making meaningful contributions to young children and families across North Carolina. The award is named after former North Carolina Partnership for Children President Karen W. Ponder, whose leadership helped shape and strengthen the Smart Start Network statewide.
Batts was one of two recipients recognized during this year’s conference. David Jackson of Watauga County also received the award for his work supporting early childhood initiatives and child care recovery efforts in the High Country region.
The 2026 Smart Start Conference brought together early childhood professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across North Carolina to share ideas and strengthen partnerships supporting children and families.
As part of the recognition, the Partnership for Children of Wayne County also received a $1,000 award to support continued local early childhood efforts.
