April 17

What Happened in Charlottesville

As we react and respond to the demonstrations, horror and pain witnessed in Charlottesville over the weekend

September 4

One Year Later: Derrik Anderson & Dave Johnson

How two CBI alumns met on the Charlotte streets in September, 2016.

September 13

The DACA Decision

A month ago we said we could not be silent in the face of the actions in Charlottesville.

October 20

LDI Class 17, Rick Parker is Named Principal of the Year

Rick Parker: "Being the principal at East Meck is a dream come true."

December 4

On the Table Charlotte: A Community Success Story

On October 25th, 2017, over 5,000 shared their Charlotte story.

December 20

20 years later, Charlotte’s better equipped to tackle racial challenges

BY CLAUDE ALEXANDER AND AND EMILY ZIMMERN Special to the Observer In December 1997 we joined more than 600 other residents from across Charlotte at the “Something Has Begun” Conference organized by the new Community Building Task Force. Government, business and nonprofit representatives came together to confront longstanding problems in response to a series of […]

December 20

Anthony Foxx – A Charlotte Meditation

One of our greatest challenges as a community is our collective unwillingness to hold ourselves up to the mirror.

January 30

LU40 Class 5 Alum Creating Sustainable Future at JCSU

This article was originally published in “West Side Stories”, a series by the Historic West End Initiative.   Johnson C. Smith University has been a cornerstone of the Historic West End since 1867. As one of the oldest predominantly African-American universities in the state of North Carolina, JCSU is a treasured landmark rich with history. […]

April 3

Join CBI For An Exclusive Event Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

June 18

CBI Takes 40 Under 40 By Storm

CBI would like to congratulate our alumni for being recognized by Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40! We couldn’t be more proud and are thrilled that other community organizations are recognizing their accomplishments as both professionals and dedicated advocates in making Charlotte a great place to work and live. To our alumni, please take a […]

October 22

CBI to Host Two #OnTheTableCLT Conversations

Community Building Initiative invites you to join us for a facilitated #OntheTableCLT discussion on the Legacy of Segregation in Charlotte and its lasting impact. Our conversation will be hosted in partnership with Common Market Southend.   As our community continues to grow, we want everyone to have the opportunity to participate in these important conversations. […]

December 13

LU40 Alumni Serving as Project Lead at Balfour Beatty

At CBI, nothing pleases us more than to see emerging leaders rising up to make a difference in the world. Our LU40 development program is all about nurturing these new leaders and empowering them to follow their passions for community and outreach.

February 16

Former CBI Board Chair Honored by HRC

Former CBI Board Chair, Tom Warshauer will be honored at the 2019 North Caroline HRC Gala on February 23rd. Tom's history of fostering equity in the Charlotte community will be celebrated at the event as he will be recognized as the Legacy Award Honoree.

March 25

Ted Fillette Receives Advocate’s Award

Please join CBI in congratulating Ted Fillette on his honor by the NC Bar Association with this year’s Advocate’s Award, which recognizes “superstars” of the legal profession.

July 30

LDI Class 15, Kim Eagle is Gaston County’s First Female Manager

CBI’s Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) Class 15 alumn, Kim Eagle, was announced as...

August 12

LDI Class 10, Steve Cohen Calls for Restorative Justice for Brooklyn CLT

Steve Cohen is calling for restorative justice for Brooklyn CLT: A predominantly black community that was demolished from the Charlotte Uptown area between 1960 - 1967 due to Urban Renewal...

October 17

Impact Class 1

DeAlva Glenn, Lissette Garcia-Johansson, Francisco Alvarado, Jon Buchan ...

October 17

Impact Class 2

Dan Castillo, Don Jonas, Rosalind Lane, Tracy Daniels ...

October 17

LDI 1

Claude Alexander, Mac Everett, Jose Hernandez-Paris, Chris Jackson, Sr. ...

October 17

LDI 2

Diego Anslemo, Cammie Hauptfuhrer, Ana Flynn, Felicia Hall Allen ...

October 17

LDI 3

Budd Berro, Bert Green, Trish Hobson, Carlenia Ivory ...

October 17

LDI 4

Tony Bucci, Katie McCoy, Mary Lou Babb, Tiffany Capers ...

October 17

LDI 5

Maha Gingrich, Terri Marshall, Nancy Langenfeld, Geoff Goss ...

October 17

LDI 6

Marcus Cheung, Julio Colmenares, Jenni Gaisbauer, David Haines ...

October 17

LDI 7

Malcolm Davis, John Kincheloe, Nimish Bhatt, Lois Ingland ...

October 17

LDI 10

Cathy Cervantes Morrison, Sana Louis, Tameka Green, Mike Manning ...

October 17

LDI 11

Todd Berg, Richard Latorre, Edna Chirico, Ralphine Caldwell ...

October 17

LDI 12

Lisa Bell, Elisa Chinn-Gary, Peggy Harris, Jon Joffe ...

October 17

LDI 13

Bill Bollinger, Ryan Deal, Robyn Hamilton, Les Maginley ...

October 17

LDI 14

Renee Jarrett, Susan Gary, Jocelyn Fuller, Andy Kaplan ...

October 17

LDI 15

Rachelle Anthony, LaToya Daniels, Victor Armstrong, Jami Herzberg ...

October 17

LDI 16

Donald Cureton, Cathy Best, Megan Gude, Norman Garnes, Jr. ...

October 17

LDI 17

Brenda Julian, Harvey Kee, Carla Hanzal, Kati Hynes ...

October 17

LU40 1

Fatima Acurio, Denise Botello Coleman, LaToya Brown, Denise Coleman ...

October 17

LU40 2

Luisa Agathon, Pad Alce, Jodi Anderson, Antonio Archbold ...

October 17

LU40 3

Will Alston, Karen Bernhardt, JoAnne Burch, Warren Chu ...

October 17

LU40 4

Michael Anderson, Adria Bivens Bryant, Charity Boseman, Kenneth Brown ...

October 17

LU40 5

Tennille Brathwaite, Kendel Bryant Phillips, Rebecca Carter, Amy Chiou ...

October 17

LU40 6

Stephanie Auville, Paul Barnhardt, Kyle Bridges, Yolanda Coleman ...

October 17

LU40 7

Julia Banks, Shakira Clarke, Maghan Cook, Alec Covington ...

October 21

LDI Class 2, Omega Autry Receives 2019 John R. Mott Award

Omega Autry, Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) Class 2 Alum, received the 2019 John R Mott award.

November 10

LDI Impact Class 1, Jon Buchan Receives 2020 Ayscue Professionalism Award

LDI Impact Class 1 Alum, Jon Buchan is the 2020 recipient of the Ayscue Professionalism Award of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation.

November 19

LU40 8

Adelaide Belk, Zuri Berry, Jonathan Branch, Paula Campos ...

November 19

LU40 9

Jennifer Adelhardt, Britt Benavidez, Ryan Bergman, Quynh Bowman ...

November 19

LDI 18

Boris Henderson, Jeff Weatherhead, Toni Freeman, Wesley Mancini ...

November 19

LDI 19

Kathlene Hendrick, Sammy Jackson, Katrina Pride, Holly Whisman ...

March 20

Community Building at a Distance

This is an unprecedented time in our personal and collective lives. Many of us are being urged to physically step back from our routines and the connections we hold most dear.

May 5

The Community Book Read

Community Read Pledge Form   Open books. Open minds.   Each year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a big, exciting, community-wide book club known as Community Read.   Everyone in the community can participate: read a book, share perspectives, attend a program, engage on social media and build a stronger community together.  #communityread2019   Community Read 2019 […]

May 5

Charlotte City Council Meetings

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE HAS BEEN AUGMENTED TO ACCOMMODATE A VIRTUAL MEETING ENVIRONMENT. MEETING CAN BE VIEWED ON GOVERNMENT CHANNEL, CITY’S FACEBOOK OR CITY’S YOUTUBE. PAGE.     City Council Meetings and Documents Agendas, minutes, resolutions and ordinances approved by the City Council and a variety of other public […]

May 8

DA Spencer Merriweather, LU40 Class 1, reflects on equity and justice

“As we begin to think about how we might restart this engine, it is forcing us to really think about what it is that we need,” says DA Spencer Merriweather, LU40 grad.

May 19

Enjoy a take-out meal from a locally-owned restaurant

May 20

“Unmasked” at the Harvey B. Gantt Center

These virtual discussions dissect the historical, structural, and social reasons Black communities are a vulnerable population during this pandemic. Visit the Gantt Center’s calendar page to find dates for upcoming discussions.

May 22

Read UNCC Urban Institute’s Racial Wealth Gap Report

June 2

A Vision Of Our Community

CBI joins countless others across Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the nation in mourning the murder of George Floyd, along with Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and others. We stand alongside those who recognize this as an inflection point, after which the disproportionate impacts of systemic racism can no longer go back into the ground of our […]

June 4

Hear what our 2019 Stakeholders Breakfast Speaker, Anand Giridharadas, says about the stakes of our collective response to COVID-19

June 4

Watch or Read Emmanuel Acho’s “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man”

June 4

Play “What’s In & On Our Ground: A Curiosity-Guided Tour of Charlotte-Mecklenburg”

June 5

Standing Together for Justice

This Joint Statement is offered in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations, City of Charlotte Office of Equity, Mobility and Immigrant Integration, Mecklenburg County Office of Equity and Inclusion, Community Building Initiative, and Race Matters for Juvenile Justice.

June 6

Pick a book from the Anti-Racist Reading List

July 30

Remembering John Lewis: The Struggle of a Lifetime

During this week as our nation honors the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis, we invite you to reflect on some of the words and wisdom he offered at different points in his life.  In tribute and gratitude let us find courage and support as we continue to live, work and witness in these times.

October 19

Join a CBI Virtual Equity Impact Circle

We are excited to offer virtual community EICs throughout 2021 in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library. Consider joining a circle today!

October 21

Leaders Under 40 Alum Michael Zytkow Creates Game to Help People Understand City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan

Michael Zytkow received a call in May from the City of Charlotte about an opportunity he couldn't turn down. “I was immediately excited," he says.... Zytkow spent the following month creating a city building game called "Charlotte Future".

November 18

LU40 10

Sarah Adair, Isaac Ballou, Rikki Bower, Theo Bowling...

December 18

Listen to You 2.0: Empathy Gym

January 5

Sponsor Spotlight: Ally Financial

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Ally Financial.

January 5

Sponsor Spotlight: Bank of America

Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Bank of America, whose support of CBI extends back to our very inception. We are grateful for Bank of America’s investment in our mission, and proud of their leadership in our community.

January 5

Sponsor Spotlight: Robinson Bradshaw

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Robinson Bradshaw.

January 18

Moving from Midnight to Daybreak

A tradition we have come to treasure at CBI is that of reaching out to our family and friends to remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as the nation commemorates his birthday. Especially this year, we hope that a piece of his wisdom might bring light into this current dark moment.

January 27

Watch Brittany Cooper’s TED Talk, “The Racial Politics of Time”

January 28

Sponsor Spotlight: EY

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on EY.   EY describes their purpose as building a better working world. This ambitious goal considers diversity, equity, […]

February 9

Sponsor Spotlight: McGuireWoods

  In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on McGuireWoods.   “McGuireWoods has a long history of involvement with the Community Building Initiative. In Charlotte, our […]

February 17

Listen to StoryCorps Stories Celebrating Black Voices

February 26

Sponsor Spotlight: Foundation For The Carolinas

  In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Foundation For The Carolinas.   As Charlotte’s community foundation, Foundation For The Carolinas has worked for equity […]

March 9

Sponsor Spotlight: TIAA

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on TIAA.   Founded more than a century ago to provide financial services for those in careers which serve […]

March 23

Sponsor Spotlight: Moore & Van Allen

  In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Moore & Van Allen.   Editor’s Note: This Sponsor Spotlight was written before the recent murders of […]

April 7

Sponsor Spotlight: Truist

    In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Truist, and is written from their own perspective.     Truist has always been committed to […]

August 26

Share your input to shape the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map

The Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map is a companion to the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan and will translate the plan’s place-based policies to specific locations throughout the community. They need your input to help shape the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map!

October 25

LU40 11

Yasi Back, Christine Bailey, Andrew Barnobi, Natali Betancur....

October 25

LDI 20

Karen Gipson, Jorge Millares, Brooks Shelley, Nalan Karakaya Mulder ...

March 18

 Executive Director – Community Building Initiative

Executive Director – Community Building Initiative   The Organization: Since 1997, Community Building Initiative has been working to advance equity and inclusion in Charlotte-Mecklenburg by providing people and organizations the knowledge, skills, and courage to fight bias, remove barriers to opportunity and build a more equitable and just community.   CBI’s work is grounded in […]

May 6

Sponsor Spotlight: Lowe’s

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Lowe’s.   Giving back to the communities where we live and work is an integral part of who […]

June 17

Press Release: Janeen Bryant Selected as CBI Executive Director

CHARLOTTE, NC (June 16, 2022):  After a competitive search process with significant interest, the Board of Directors is proud to announce Janeen Bryant has been hired as the next Executive Director of Community Building Initiative (CBI). Bryant succeeds founding Executive Director Dianne English, who retired at the end of last year.   “I have taken […]

July 11

Sponsor Spotlight: Aldersgate

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Aldersgate.    CBI wakes up, interrupts and steps up throughout our Charlotte community and this is why Aldersgate […]

February 15

Charlotte History Makers

Whereas the achievements of Black Americans can and should be celebrated year-round, Black History Month encourages us to take some time to intentionally recognize and pay tribute to Black Americans and their contributions to life as we know it today.  We invite you to learn more about these Black Charlotteans who have made/are making history in recent times! […]

April 10

LDI Program Closes Out After LDI21 in August

LDI Program Closes Out After LDI21 in August   Octavia Seawell, who created and led CBI’s Leadership Development Initiative (LDI), has announced her intention to step down from that role following LDI 21 in August of this year.   “As CBI and I bring nearly 23 years of LDI to a close, the resounding word […]

May 5

Sponsor Spotlight: Novant Health

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on Novant Health.     Novant Health is a not-for-profit integrated network of hospitals, physician clinics and outpatient facilities […]

February 6

Sponsor Spotlight: US Bank

In our Sponsor Spotlight series, CBI highlights our relationships with our sponsors, and the work they are doing to build a more equitable and just community within their own spheres of influence. Today’s Sponsor Spotlight focuses on U.S. Bank.   At U.S. Bank, we draw strength from diversity. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) fosters innovation, understanding […]

August 14

LDI 21

Shanté Burke-Hayer, Rex Marvel, Otto Harris, Holly Levinson ...

August 28

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Remembrance Project

  In 1913, a white mob dragged Joe McNeely from a Charlotte hospital and shot him to death.  In 1929, Wilie McDaniel was found dead after aguing with his white landlord.  Here are their stories, told like never before.  The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Remembrance Project invites you to learn, share, and face the truth about our history, […]

March 31

LU40 12

Yasi Back, Christine Bailey, Andrew Barnobi, Natali Betancur....

March 31

LU40 13

Yasi Back, Christine Bailey, Andrew Barnobi, Natali Betancur....

March 31

LU40 14

Yasi Back, Christine Bailey, Andrew Barnobi, Natali Betancur....

July 23

A Statement on the Passing of James E. Ferguson II

  Community Building Initiative is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of James E. Ferguson II. Beginning with his young adulthood in Asheville, NC and throughout his long life as a practicing attorney here in Charlotte, James Ferguson has been a powerful force in the pursuit of civil rights, restorative justice and racial equality. […]

April 14

Equity Impact Fellowship Applications Are Now Being Accepted!

Are you already doing impactful work to build community at the neighborhood or grassroots level in Charlotte? Are you interested in joining the fifth cohort of Charlotte Equity Impact Fellows? Learn more about joining the 2026 class below. Please complete all forms by May 31, 2026!   FAQ: 2026-2027 Equity Impact Fellows FAQs/Preguntas más Frecuentes […]