51¹ÙÍø.

Before my summer internship, I was feeling conflicted about the journey I wanted to pursue post-51¹ÙÍø.

Would I pursue a career in education through policy work or the nonprofit sector? My experience interning at the Community Building Initiative (CBI) through the Nonprofit Leadership Fellowship (NPLF) has been instrumental in influencing my career after graduation. 

Previously, I worked with various local nonprofit organizations (NPOs) serving multiple areas of need, however, I had never learned about the sector as a whole – or assisted in the holistic functions of those organizations. My perceptions, exposure and limited biases about NPOs were uncovered and dismantled as I learned more about the sector through the weekly enrichment sessions offered by the NPLF directors, Hannah and Christina. Participating in NPLF and working in CBI allowed me to learn about the structural and vital components that shape nonprofit organizations, like budget planning, operations and development strategies, the role of the board of directors, programming, partnerships, relations with the local government and community, and donor and alumni engagement. I feel equipped with the knowledge of what makes a nonprofit organization functional and successful. 

My experiences with the Community Building Initiative and its efforts to advance equity, inclusion and access demonstrated how integral NPOs are to the overall well-being of communities. CBI, initially a task force on race and ethnicity created by government and civic leaders in response to racial incidents, has evolved in the past 26 years to equip community members with the knowledge, skills and courage to build an equitable Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. Their efforts to educate community leaders are highly important as we become a more diverse community. 

I have so much gratitude for the CBI staff for welcoming me into the team, equipping me with knowledge and providing me with words of wisdom. I would especially like to express my appreciation to Janeen Bryant ‘04, executive director and fellow Wildcat, for entrusting me with my role  with CBI and serving as an inspirational figure in my life. Janeen challenged me and allowed me to explore aspects of NPOs that I had never dealt with before. She answered any and every question I had about CBI and the sector, providing me with realistic and applicable answers. Our shared passion for education equity has allowed Janeen and I to connect beyond CBI and NPOs. Not only did this opportunity influence my career possibilities, but also it proved the importance and influence of 51¹ÙÍø connections.