Five Mecklenburg County nonprofits each received $25,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to continue efforts for a more inclusive community. | Adobe Stock
Five Mecklenburg County nonprofits each received $25,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to continue efforts for a more inclusive community. | Adobe Stock
Five Mecklenburg County nonprofits were among the 40 executives at Duke Energy said on Nov. 10 will receive a portion of $1 million in grants for their work toward racial equity and justice in North Carolina.
“We all have a role and responsibility in advancing justice and equity,” Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said in a November release about the initiative. “Duke Energy is committed to creating equal opportunities for the communities we serve, and we’re proud to support organizations already leading this critical work across North Carolina.”
The energy provider and its foundation committed to a three-year cycle of providing grant funding for organizations promoting social justice in addition to the $1 million the Duke allocated last August, the release said.
“With this investment, we will continue to build extraordinary relationships that nurture tough conversations toward reconciliation and tackle systemic barriers to racial equity and justice for our students and families who sit on the margins of our community,” Right Moves For Youth Executive Director Sabrina N. Gilchrist said in the release.
Along with Right Moves For Youth, the Center for Community Transitions, Greater Steps Scholars, Profound Gentlemen and North Carolina Outward Bound School each received $25,000 for their causes.
“This funding allows us to continue to partner with Charlotte high schools to develop compassionate leaders through our wilderness programs that then return to their schools to implement projects that address social justice issues that affect their school community,” Outward Bound School interim Executive Director Ken Lawson said in the release.
Greater Steps Scholars Executive Director Aisha Strothers said the organization will use the $25,000 grant to “continue breaking down the education and racial disparities” that underserved students of color face while also setting them up for higher-education opportunities or job training.
“Racial equity sits at the core of our organization’s purpose,” Profound Gentlemen Executive Director Jason Terrell said in the release. “We know that it takes a collective effort to create sustainable systemic change in the education profession; we are grateful for the Duke Energy Foundation’s support as we build an education system that our students and educators deserve.”
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