J’Taime Lyons graduated with the inaugural Cohort of Civic Impact Academy in 2024.

Here’s a look at their Community Design Challenge:

Name of Project:

Increasing Economic Mobility, Social Mobility, and Well-Being for Black Charlotteans

Description:

This project seeks to increase economic mobility for Black Charlotteans, particularly those living in historically Black neighborhoods. To address the issues at hand, it seeks to improve coordination and to provide wrap-around services to community residents.

J’Taime highlighted how Charlotte once ranked 50th out of 50 large U.S. cities for economic mobility, with a significant wealth gap between Black and white families.

The project will focus on strategic planning, community engagement, and developing a shared vision for increasing economic opportunities.

Next steps include attending local events to build relationships, sharing information, and offering strategic plans to stakeholders to scale up impactful initiatives.