A Public-Private Partnership for an Equitable Charlotte

Mayor Vi Lyles has a bold vision:

For Charlotte to set the standard as an American city for achieving racial equity, social justice, economic opportunity, and upward mobility through transformational public-private partnerships. The initiative strives to provide solutions-driven, measurable strategies that produce equitable access, opportunities, treatment and outcomes for Charlotte’s communities of color.

Focus Area 1

Bridge the Digital Divide

Create the Center for Digital Equity and provide devices, internet access, and digital literacy education in vulnerable communities.

Focus Area 2

Invest in Corridors of Opportunity

Improve access to employment, mobility options, housing, and daily services in six business and neighborhood corridors of opportunity. 

Focus Area 3

Transform Johnson C. Smith University for the Future

Position JCSU as a top-tier, career-path-oriented HBCU by growing the university’s academic offerings, recruiting top talent through career-oriented incentives, and appointing a Transformation Leader that will champion positive change.

Focus Area 4

Catalyze Employer Commitment

Advance more Black and Brown leaders in C-suite positions and on boards, develop career paths for students and workforce development programs, and extend corporate policies for equity. 

News

May 13, 2022

Barings, Coca-Cola Consolidated and Nucor Corporation Commit a Combined $3.7 Million to Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative

The Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative announced a combined $3.7 million in new commitments to the communitywide public-private partnership seeking to advance racial equity in Charlotte. Pledges include $1.7 million from Barings, $1 million from Coca-Cola Consolidated and $1 million from Nucor Corporation.

November 1, 2021

Newly announced Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative seeks to raise a quarter-of-a-billion dollars to address inequities and boost opportunity in Charlotte Mecklenburg

A new $250 million communitywide public-private partnership to advance racial equity in Charlotte was announced Monday at a gathering of community members and civic leaders at Johnson C. Smith University.

Join the effort.

If your company or foundation would like to invest in the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative, please contact info@equityclt.org. Follow us on social to stay connected!