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Charlotte NC

Adams Applauds Inclusion of JCSU in Equity CLT Plan

November 1, 2021

The newly announced Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative looks to invest $250 million to address inequities and remove barriers to opportunity through four key workstreams: bridging the digital divide and establishing a Center for Digital Equity; investing in Charlotte’s six “Corridors of Opportunity” neighborhoods; transforming JCSU into a top-tier, career-focused HBCU; and ensuring organizations commit to racial equity through advancing more Black and Brown leaders within their individual corporations. A lead private-sector gift of $40 million from The Duke Endowment will be directed to the Johnson C. Smith University workstream.

CHARLOTTE Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) applauded the inclusion of Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte's only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), in Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles' $250 million Racial Equity Initiative.

"For over 150 years, Johnson C. Smith University has been an engine of equity for the Charlotte region," said Congresswoman Alma Adams, founder and co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. "Today's gifts from the Duke Endowment, Bank of America, and many other partners will ensure JCSU continues its legacy of producing compassionate and forward-thinking leaders. These are exactly the kind of partnerships we are working to replicate with the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act. Thank you to Mayor Lyles and all of the public and private donors who are leading this equity effort while empowering a new generation of Smithites to succeed in the workforce and beyond."

Per a press release, "The newly announced Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative looks to invest $250 million to address inequities and remove barriers to opportunity through four key workstreams: bridging the digital divide and establishing a Center for Digital Equity; investing in Charlotte's six "Corridors of Opportunity" neighborhoods; transforming JCSU into a top-tier, career-focused HBCU; and ensuring organizations commit to racial equity through advancing more Black and Brown leaders within their individual corporations. A lead private-sector gift of $40 million from The Duke Endowment will be directed to the Johnson C. Smith University workstream."

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