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Keys to Economic Recovery from COVID-19 (Fayetteville)

January 31, 2022

As the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy remains at the forefront of many minds. From supply chain issues to staffing shortages currently facing many businesses, the pandemic has been challenging for small businesses. After the 2008 economic … Read more

Local Sustainability Goals (Asheville Region)

January 24, 2022

Local governments across North Carolina adopt resolutions committing to measures of sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. These resolutions are designed to initiate a plan for communities to “develop a vision and implement long-term goals that address challenges” around sustainable practices, … Read more

Ensuring Student Success in 2021 and Beyond (UNC Chapel Hill)

January 18, 2022

Educational leaders across the state are working to help more residents obtain post-secondary credentials. The 58 community colleges in North Carolina are using federal recovery funds to help support students outside of school, so they focus on completing their academic … Read more

Affordable Housing Town Hall (Greensboro, NC)

January 10, 2022

Finding safe and affordable housing is a challenge that faces many in our nation. Those who lack the resources to afford safe housing are forced to reside in substandard housing, which creates one or more safety hazards for its occupants. … Read more

Coastal Resilience Town Hall (Wilmington)

January 7, 2022

 In recent years, coastal North Carolina experienced increasing severe weather events. This issue is critical in the Cape Fear Region of the state, where two devastating hurricanes caused significant damage in the past five years. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew caused … Read more

School Justice Partnerships

December 18, 2020

Exclusionary discipline practices – including suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to the courts – negatively impact both students and their communities. Students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by these practices as they are more likely to be suspended, expelled, and referred to court. In North Carolina, school-based referrals make up about 40% of the referrals to the juvenile justice system. Most of these referrals are for minor, nonviolent offenses. In the 2016-2017 school year, 92% of school-based referrals were for misdemeanors.

Economic Mobility

December 11, 2020

Dozens of Charlotte small businesses have benefited from the city’s “Open for Business” program. ncIMPACT examines how this COVID-19 relief program is giving small businesses help when they need it the most. Economic Mobility – For More Information The Challenge … Read more

Overcoming Homelessness

December 3, 2020

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that 40,056 veterans are homeless on any given night. Among veterans, women are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Forty-four percent of Buncombe County’s homeless population are veterans compared to seven percent nationwide. Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina collaborates with numerous community partners to overcome this problem.

Youth Suicide Prevention

November 20, 2020

In 2018, 12% of adolescents in NC attempted suicide, with an even greater number expected to attempt suicide in the context of COVID-19. School closures and mandatory social distancing, coupled with stressful home environments, place adolescents with suicidal urges at significantly greater risk for suicide. Appalachian State University is partnering with seven schools and three counties to prevent suicides in Allegheny, Ashe, and Watauga Counties.

Join ncIMPACT Initiative Director Anita Brown-Graham as she explores related challenges and collaborative solutions with a panel of North Carolina experts.

– Anna Yaros, Research Clinical Psychologist at RTI
– Conor O’Neill, Medical Instructor at Duke University School of Medicine
– Dana Griffin, Associate Professor at UNC School of Education

Improving Community and Police Relations

November 13, 2020

In the wake of recent incidents involving police use of force and other issues, the role of the police has been questioned in many communities. In North Carolina, the Jacksonville Police Department is receiving accolades for its “One City, Our City, My City” campaign that promotes respect, caring, and collaboration, including strategies to counter misunderstandings about mental health and opioid abuse.

Join ncIMPACT Initiative Director Anita Brown-Graham as she explores related challenges and collaborative solutions with three expert panelists.
– Sen. Mujtaba A. Mohammed, Senator at NC State Senate District 38 & Assistant Public Defender
– Dr. Tobi Gilbert, Psychologist at Jacksonville Police Dept.
– Mayor Jacques Gilbert, Mayor of Apex & Retired Police Captain