Leading on Opportunity

Leading on Opportunity is grateful for the chance to be among the more than 1,000 attendees at the Knight Media Forum in Miami recently. So much learning and connecting packed into two days! Thank you to Charles Thomas and the Knight Foundation for the chance to participate and for the reminder that building and maintaining community is always the key. #KMF25?#KnightFoundation?#EconomicMobility?#Leadership?#Charlotte?#OpportunityForAll

Please take a moment to read this well-reported Bloomberg News piece by Shawn Donnan on Charlotte’s progress on economic mobility. Leading on Opportunity is focused on leveraging data to align funding and strategy to create impact. We’re honored to be mentioned in league with gamechangers like Brian Collier, Erin Barbee, Victoria Watlington, PhD, PE, PMP and DreamKey Partners, an organization that is doing the work to create housing and wealth-building opportunities that change lives.

?? Congratulations to Dr. Virginia Covill! ?? We are thrilled to celebrate our very own Dr. Virginia Covill, Deputy Director of Strategy and Operations, for being recognized on Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list! Virginia’s leadership, dedication, and passion for advancing economic mobility continue to make a lasting impact on our community. Her commitment to data-driven strategies and operational excellence helps drive our work at Leading on Opportunity, ensuring that every Charlottean has the opportunity to thrive. Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition, and congratulations to the other winners! ???????? #40Under40 #EconomicMobility #Leadership #Charlotte #OpportunityForAll ?? Read more here https://lnkd.in/egbqzVps

Always great to see team members engage with their alma maters! Check out what AJ Calhoun was up to last week engaging with Winterim group students!

Public transportation is crucial for economic mobility because it provides affordable access to employment opportunities, education, healthcare, and other essential services, allowing people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to participate fully in the workforce and contribute to the economy, especially those who may not have access to a personal vehicle; essentially, it enables individuals to reach jobs and opportunities beyond their immediate neighborhood. ??https://lnkd.in/eHcX85Bb We are so excited for our very own Tonya Jameson and her participation with the Public Transit Advisory Group! ????? #EconomicMobility #Charlotte #PublicTransit

We are excited to welcome Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, Executive Vice President, CIO, and Interim President & CEO of United Way of Greater Charlotte, to the Leading on Opportunity Council! ?? Kathryn brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, community impact, and data-driven solutions to drive economic mobility in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Her deep commitment to equity and opportunity for all aligns perfectly with our mission to create lasting, transformational change. At Leading on Opportunity, we focus on key drivers of mobility—Early Care & Education, Child & Family Stability, and College & Career Readiness—while addressing systemic barriers like segregation and social capital gaps. Kathryn’s leadership and insights will be instrumental as we continue this critical work together. Join us in welcoming Kathryn to the Council! We look forward to the impact we will make together. #OpportunityForAll #EconomicMobility #CharlotteLeadership ??

A big thank you to Ally and Queens University of Charlotte for their commitment to supporting women leaders through the TWIST Conference! We continue to be inspired by the senior leadership of Deepa Naik, LLM, Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, and Jennifer DeWitt, who generously shared their time and insights with conference attendees. Their dedication to empowering and elevating women in leadership is truly impactful. Grateful to be part of a community that champions growth, mentorship, and opportunity! #WomenInLeadership #TWISTConference #Empowerment #Leadership

We are thrilled to announce that Anna London, President and CEO of Charlotte Works, has joined the Leading on Opportunity Council. Anna's extensive experience in workforce development and her deep commitment to our community make her an invaluable addition to our team. As a Charlotte native, Anna has dedicated nearly a decade to Charlotte Works, including five years as Chief Operating Officer before becoming President and CEO. At Leading on Opportunity, we are committed to creating lasting, transformational change in economic mobility outcomes across Charlotte-Mecklenburg. We focus on key areas such as Early Care and Education, Child and Family Stability, and College and Career Readiness, while addressing cross-cutting factors like the Impact of Segregation and Social Capital. Anna's innovative approach and dedication to workforce development align perfectly with our mission. We look forward to the insights and leadership she will bring to the Council as we work together to enhance economic mobility and opportunity for all in our community.

Congratulations to Rachel Sutherland and Rachel Sutherland Communications! We're so fortunate to have you as a collaborator. ??

?? Nonprofit Leaders: Stay Informed, Stay Engaged! Our communities are depending on us, and in times of uncertainty, knowledge is power. ?? Join the Southern Economic Advancement Project on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 1 PM ET for a free webinar designed to provide clarity and actionable insights for nonprofits. ?? Expert speakers will share top-line information on: ? Advocacy strategies ? Federal data sources ? Federal funding and personnel updates After the updates, they’ll open the floor for discussion—bring your questions and talk about the resources and support you need! Don’t miss this opportunity to gain critical insights and connect with fellow nonprofit leaders. Register now! ?? https://lnkd.in/eU6ZN7rE #Nonprofits #Leadership #Advocacy #CommunityImpact #EconomicMobility