Crescent Coalition

So excited to continue our expansion into Charlotte!

It was a great time talking about our involvement in a collaboration taking place between 8 college and career readiness organizations in Charlotte, known as the Crescent Coalition. Developing community with leaders from other non-profits that have similar missions but varied models has been instructive to my leadership of GenOne and how we're thinking about growth, as well as a support to my mental health through developing community with each other. The fact that most organizations send their Executive Director or a senior representative each month shows how serious we are about this collaboration, and how we can better move the needle on economic mobility through access to 2 and 4 year postsecondary programs when we do so together. #collaboration #community #collegeaccess

??Let's Beat Some Odds, Shall We? // Kudos to the Crescent Coalition ?? Last week, we had the privilege of hosting Charlotte's first-ever Beating the Odds Summit, and it was nothing short of inspiring! ?? Held at Central Piedmont Community College, this event brought together a dynamic group of motivational speakers, interactive workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities. Designed for college-bound seniors involved with amazing organizations like The Academy of Goal Achievers, Inc , Carolina Youth Coalition, GenOne Charlotte, Greater Steps Scholars, The Friedland Foundation, Road to Hire, UrbanPromise Charlotte, and WAYFINDERS , this summit was a one-day powerhouse of preparation and empowerment. Planned under the leadership of Maria Diaz and Will Darden, this session delved into strategies for overcoming barriers to college persistence, with sessions that equipped students with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to succeed. From delicious food to "College Starter Pack" giveaways and high-dollar raffle prizes, the day was packed with excitement and learning. A huge thank you to every volunteer, speaker, and leader who participated, presented, and helped pour into the students and this groundbreaking event. Your contributions made it a resounding success! ?? #BeatingTheOdds #CollegeBound #CrescentCoalition #CharlotteNC #Education #Empowerment #Networking #StudentSuccess

?? Excited to share this inspiring article from The Atlantic, which highlights the impactful work of Dr. Virginia Covill and the Crescent Coalition in advancing equitable opportunities in our community. ?? This work wouldn't be possible without the thoughtful engagement and support of the Crescent Coalition (??roll call!) Carolina Youth Coalition (Aaron Randolph, Maria Diaz) Greater Steps Scholars (Aisha Strothers) The Academy of Goal Achievers, Inc (Courtnie Coble) Road to Hire (Allen Davis (he/him)) UrbanPromise Charlotte (Jimmy McQuilkin) GenOne Charlotte (Ian Joyce) WAYFINDERS (Mollie Thorn James) Friedland Foundation (Dr. Michael Friedland) ...and partners like Deloitte and Council Member David Rizzo. Together, they are demonstrating the power of collaboration in shaping a future where everyone can thrive. Check out the full article to learn how they’re driving change and fostering inclusive growth: Read the article here. Let's keep the momentum going! ?? #EconomicMobility #CommunityLeadership #Collaboration https://lnkd.in/g7nHTYRX

The first-ever Crescent Coalition Leadership Summit is in the books! This enriching day brought together?leaders, professionals, and passionate advocates from across the coalition to engage in?meaningful conversation, build community, and?collaborate on shaping the future of education and college readiness. United by a shared mission to improve Charlotte’s economic mobility through enhancing pathways for college and career success, this year’s summit provided a vibrant space for discussing critical challenges and opportunities in education, ultimately strengthening our ability to support students in Charlotte and beyond. ???? Throughout the day, attendees participated in engaging group discussions, thought-provoking panels, and hands-on workshops, all centered around pivotal educational topics. From easing students’ transitions from middle school to high school to guiding them from college to their careers, each conversation provided valuable takeaways. We also delved into the complexities of the FAFSA application process and the broader landscape of financial aid, offering tools and advice to help students and families navigate these essential steps. A special thank you to George Metz, Jr. for being this year’s keynote speaker and sharing powerful insights on how we can maximize value and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders. This event was made possible through the generous support of the Equitable Foundation, this year’s Presenting Sponsor. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the following panelists and facilitators who contributed to the success of the summit: - Alex Lowe Turner and Michelle Norwood, Student U - Allison Pudlik, M.A. and Derrick Everhart, Queens University of Charlotte - Chemere Davis, Microsoft - Jessica Kim and Sydney Gallup, University Career Center at UNC Charlotte - Timitra Hildebrand-Jones (she/her/hers), Albemarle Corporation Together, we’ve built a strong foundation for a brighter tomorrow, and we’re excited to continue our work in transforming and empowering the future of education. ?? #CrescentCoalition #Charlotte #UpwardMobility #EconomicMobility

This morning, we gathered a group of amazing college access professionals from our twelve member organizations and affiliate partners for the spring launch of our Persistence Initiative! We shared stories highlighting student success, offered insight on best practices for providing holistic support, and made plans to strengthen collaboration across our organizations going forward. Collectively, this group supports over 1,100 currently enrolled first generation college students from Charlotte on their journeys to degree attainment and career success! Thank you to the staff members who are participating in the Persistence Initiative this spring: Amy Garcia, Bianca Huckabey, Braxton Winston, Carmen Aguilera, Christopher D. Merrida, MPA, Ciara Viramontes, Corrin Zumbado Campbell, Emily Feldbruegge, Lazetta Lutrillo, Maria Diaz, O'Tisha Hinton, Omar Parkes, Reiva Kibbee - Alleyne, M.Ed., Stephanie Suarez, Courtnie Coble, Maurice Grier, Mollie Thorn James and Dr. Michael Friedland. We're grateful for the support of our member organizations and affiliate partners as well, including The Academy of Goal Achievers, Inc , Carolina Youth Coalition, Circle de Luz, Friedland Foundation, GenOne Charlotte, Greater Steps Scholars, Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA), MeckEd, Queen City Scholars / Delaware College Scholars, Road to Hire, UrbanPromise Charlotte and WAYFINDERS #CrescentCoalition #CollegeAccess #UpwardMobility #Charlotte

Thank you, George Metz, Jr., for coming to speak to our amazing staff members at our inaugural Leadership Summit next week! We look forward to an impactful, meaningful day together.

?? Wayfinders is proud to be a founding member of the Crescent Coalition. Collectively, we are excited to welcome three new members: Circle de Luz, Queen City Scholars, and Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA)! Now operating under the fiscal sponsorship of Ascend Nonprofit Solutions, the expansion brings the Crescent Coalition to 11 organizations, all dedicated to supporting under-resourced students from middle school to college and beyond. Next month, we look forward to 50 team members from our member organizations gathering for the Crescent Coalition's inaugural Leadership Summit—a day dedicated to professional development and strengthening our collaborative efforts. Together, we're creating a seamless support system to empower students to achieve their full potential through college and career readiness, mentoring, and wraparound support! #crescentcoalition #charlotte #economicmobility

?? Exciting News from the Crescent Coalition! ?? UrbanPromise Charlotte is proud to be a founding member of the Crescent Coalition. Collectively, we are excited to welcome three new members: Circle de Luz, Queen City Scholars, and Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA)! Now operating under the fiscal sponsorship of Ascend Nonprofit Solutions, the expansion brings the Crescent Coalition to 11 organizations, all dedicated to supporting under-resourced students from middle school to college and beyond. Next month, we look forward to 50 team members from our member organizations gathering for the Crescent Coalition's inaugural Leadership Summit—a day dedicated to professional development and strengthening our collaborative efforts. Together, we're creating a seamless support system to empower students to achieve their full potential through college and career readiness, mentoring, and wraparound support! #crescentcoalition #charlotte #economicmobility

?Exciting News from the Crescent Coalition! Greater Steps Scholars is proud to be a founding member of the Crescent Coalition. Collectively, we are excited to welcome three new members:?Circle de Luz,?Queen City Scholars, and?Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA)! Now operating under the fiscal sponsorship of?Ascend Nonprofit Solutions, the expansion brings the Crescent Coalition to 11 organizations, all dedicated to supporting under-resourced students from middle school to college and beyond. ? Next month, we look forward to 50 team members from our member organizations gathering for the Crescent Coalition's inaugural Leadership Summit—a day dedicated to professional development and strengthening our collaborative efforts. ? Together, we're creating a seamless support system to empower students to achieve their full potential through college and career readiness, mentoring, and wraparound support! #crescentcoalition #charlotte #economicmobility