New ‘Atlas’ of Mobility Shows How Kids from Different Charlotte Neighborhoods Have Done
The Charlotte Observer • Ann Doss Helms and Galvin Off - October 1, 2018Harvard economics professor Raj Chetty, lead author of that study, which also included researchers from University of California at Berkeley, heads a new nonprofit group called Opportunity Insights, dedicated to figuring out what can break the generational chains of poverty and racism.
Learn MoreCommunity Impact Director Speaks to Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners at Budget Priority Public Hearing
Yuly Rodriguez, Community Impact Director, Leading on Opportunity - January 15, 2019It is now our opportunity to rally behind our community, which in part includes the Latinx community, that represents one quarter of the children entering kindergarten in Charlotte every year - about 3,000 children.
Read MoreLeading on Opportunity's Executive Director Reflects on Tradition
Creative Mornings CLT • Matt Olin - December 7, 2018On Friday, December 7, 2018, hundreds of creative Charlotteans packed the halls of LaCa Projects – to explore the global theme of “Tradition.” As Executive Director of Leading on Opportunity, Dr. Cooper-Lewter’s talk is a timely and moving meditation on what it takes to create new Traditions that will lift up everyone in our community.
Read MoreLeading on Opportunity Hires Community Impact Directors to Address Key Drivers of Economic Mobility
Charlotte Business Journal • Bank of America - October 19, 2018Three community impact directors are now at work in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Leading on Opportunity initiative. They are point people to make an economic mobility strategy into real-life results. Their experience adds pragmatic breadth and depth for this Charlotte-Mecklenburg challenge.
Read MoreNew ‘Atlas’ of Mobility Shows How Kids from Different Charlotte Neighborhoods Have Done
The Charlotte Observer • Ann Doss Helms and Galvin Off - October 1, 2018Harvard economics professor Raj Chetty, lead author of that study, which also included researchers from University of California at Berkeley, heads a new nonprofit group called Opportunity Insights, dedicated to figuring out what can break the generational chains of poverty and racism.
Read MoreBank of America, Albemarle Corporation Commit $20 Million to Economic Mobility in Charlotte
Charlotte Business Journal • Caroline Hudson - September 27, 2018Each company has pledged to donate $10 million to 17 nonprofits, which focus on early education, college and career readiness and a stable family life.
Read MoreHow Free Pre-K for 600 Mecklenburg Kids Could Affect Your Wallet for Years to Come
The Charlotte Observer • Ann Doss Helms - September 19, 2018The 4-year-olds who will launch Mecklenburg County’s new public prekindergarten program this month have no idea how much is riding on them. County commissioners have put up $9 million to provide free high-quality pre-K for about 600 children this year. That investment from taxpayers could grow to $70 million a year by 2023, as Meck Pre-K expands to cover all who want it. Short term, the program gives a boost to low- to moderate-income working parents, to the small business owners who run child care centers and to traditionally underpaid child-care teachers. Ultimately officials hope to set a generation of young people on the path to academic and economic success.
Read MoreBank of America Panel Looks Into Connection of Affordable Housing and Early Childhood Education
Charlotte Business Journal • Bank of America - July 27, 2018This intersection of affordable, stable housing and quality early education has been identified by Leading on Opportunity as a major touchpoint for breaking a chain of intergenerational poverty in the community. Leading on Opportunity is the community’s response to a 2014 report that ranked Charlotte last among the nation’s 50 largest metro areas for upward social mobility.
Read MoreAffordable Housing Fills a Critical Role in Education, Economic Mobility
Charlotte Business Journal • Bank of America - June 29, 2018The Leading on Opportunity Task Force, a group of community members including grassroots, faith, government, business and philanthropy organizations emphasizes in its recommendations for addressing inequality the importance of early childhood education and its connection to affordable housing. These recommendations are being implemented by the Leading on Opportunity Council, co-chaired by Andrea Smith, chief administrative officer at Bank of America and James E. Ford, founder of the Be More Foundation and principal at Filling the Gap Educational Consultants.
Read MoreQ & A with Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, Executive Director of Leading on Opportunity
Charlotte Business Journal • Bank of America - June 21, 2018Dr. Stephanie Cooper-Lewter shares her perspective on her first few months at Leading on Opportunity and her vision for Charlotte.
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