Organization: Community Building Initiative
Mission: The mission of Community Building Initiative (CBI) is to give people and organizations the knowledge, skills and courage to fight bias, remove barriers to opportunity and build a more equitable and just Charlotte-Mecklenburg. CBI envisions a connected community where everyone:Wakes up to discrimination and injustice;Interrupts inequitable systems and structures; andSteps up to champion equal rights, access and opportunity.CBI provides innovative programs that develop leaders, advance equity and connect the community, working for change at individual, organizational and community levels. CBIs work is grounded in the belief that aspects of difference (including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status) impact not only individual residents but also the policies, programs and practices of organizations and institutions in this increasingly diverse community. Constituencies and staff build capacity to share diverse ideas, and organizations become more adept and eff
Activities: Developing LeadersLeadership Development Initiative (LDI) and Leaders Under 40 (LU40)Achievements: A cadre of community leaders who have the knowledge, skills and courage to influence for inclusion and equity in both the organization(s) they represent and in the broader community. Total alumni across both programs is now 918.
Connecting the Community Bus Tours, Community Conversations/Facilitated Dialogues & Stakeholders BreakfastAchievements: Diverse groups of people and CBI stakeholders are convened through specially developed interactive dialogues and community conversations. As a result of participation, attendees are educated about community history and current/emerging issues, have increased awareness, are engaged, build connections and are prompted to take action and/or respond to the underlying factors and impact of dimensions of diversity in matters of public concern. 2019 was CBIs largest Stakeholders Breakfast to date, with attendance of 860. Since its inception in 2011, CBIs Bus Tour program has seen participation of 6,263.
Advancing EquityThe Equity Project & Equity Impact CirclesAchievements: CBIs board is now more engaged and educated, more deeply connected to CBIs mission and to each other. CBIs equity lens and framework make it more relevant and better equipped to serve as a community resource while expanding what it can offer and to whom. The Equity Project has broadened the cadre of community residents and organizations who are utilizing an equity lens to explore and address persistent community challenges and emerging opportunities; helped build relationships between participants; increased the capacity of individuals and organizations to understand and advance equity; and deepened the commitment to CBIs mission. CBI began offering seasonal Equity Impact Circles in 2019. In early 2020, this program was transitioned to a virtual platform.
NTEE category: Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Secondary category: Housing & Shelter