Media outlets shared plenty of stories of setbacks and suffering during Black History Month. In a column published one week ago in the Wilmington Star-News, N.C. History Project Director Troy Kickler reminded readers that black history also features stories of “agency and fortitude.” John Locke Foundation communications director Mitch Kokai spent a few minutes chatting with WPTF Radio’s Bill LuMaye Thursday. Kokai refuted a misstatement from left-leaning journalist Cash Michaels about the percentage of economically disadvantaged Wake County public school students who pass state standardized tests. He returned to the radio this morning to promote on WLTT’s “Morning Beat” the John Locke Foundation’s upcoming Headliner luncheon with Cal Thomas in Wilmington. The Star-News‘ “Cape Fear Watchdogs” blog previewed that Headliner event. A column in the latest Rhinoceros Times cites the work of Piedmont Publius blogger Sam Hieb in questioning government involvement in building fiber-optic network infrastructure. N.C. Education Alliance Director Lindalyn Kakadelis leads a workshop this morning for the Civitas Institute on the roles and responsibilities of local school board members. The Locke Foundation also has attracted media attention several times in recent weeks because of its association with businessman, philanthropist, and JLF board member Art Pope. The Triangle Business Journal, Charlotte Observer columnist Jack Betts’ “This Old State” blog, and the Independent Weekly all have mentioned JLF recently in connection with Pope.