United Way Of The Greater Triangle Names The ‘10 To Watch’
United Way of the Greater Triangle (UWGT) named the inaugural class of the ‘10 to Watch’, a cohort of leaders selected for their impact and potential to shape the future of the Triangle. ‘10 to Watch’ is a new investment initiative created to address the racial and cultural disparities between the leaders of nonprofit organizations and the communities that they serve as well as to address racial and gender disparities when it comes to organizational resources.
During United Way’s 2016-2017 funding cycle, over 85% of those served were people of color. Conversely, during that same time, people of color led just 20% of the funded partner agencies. Disparities also exist along racial and gender lines when it comes to organizational resources. In the Triangle, on average, organizations led by people of color and women hold far less revenues and assets.
‘10 to Watch’ organizations and leaders are:
– The Beautiful Project – Jamaica Gilmer
– The Daniel Center for Math and Science, Inc. – Kirby Jones
– Dress for Success Triangle – Laura Martin
– EmPOWERment Inc. – Delores Bailey
– TheGifted Arts, Inc. – Nicholé Morgan
– Movement of Youth – Atrayus Goode
– N.C. Scholars’ LatinX Initiative (N.C. SLI) – Ricky Hurtado
– A Place at the Table – Maggie Kane
– Step Up Durham – Syretta Hill
– Village of Wisdom – Dr. William Jackson
United Way of the Greater Triangle is making a half-million dollar investment in these ten high-impact organizations ($25K per year invested in each organization for two years). In addition, United Way is collaborating with Leadership Triangle to make a two-year investment in the leadership development of these dynamic leaders through a rigorous curriculum including Leadership Triangle’s “Transforming Leaders” program beginning in September.
Eric Guckian, UWGT President & CEO, stated, “United Way’s mission is to eradicate poverty and increase social mobility through the power of partnerships. This partnership with the ‘10 to Watch’ and Leadership Triangle is one of our very strongest. By building the bench of more representative leadership in the Triangle, we are ensuring that we accelerate our communities’ shared mission of maximizing our social impact.”
Coastal Federal Credit Union was the initial corporate sponsor of ‘10 to Watch’. Coastal’s President and CEO, Chuck Purvis, announced their sponsorship after Guckian and Jes Averhart, Executive Director of Leadership Triangle, introduced the ’10 to Watch’ initiative at Coastal Foundation’s Power of Sharing event in May.
Coastal’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Creighton Blackwell said, “We’re excited to see the initiative moving forward. It’s one thing to invest in the community and see collaboration among nonprofits, but we love that this goes a step further and helps strengthen the operational side of those organizations, and fosters an environment of inclusion among nonprofits.”
Wells Fargo is another a committed sponsor. “We are proud to have a long history of working with the United Way of the Greater Triangle to build better communities and through initiatives like ‘10 to Watch’, we are helping our communities succeed,” said Greg Winkler, Wells Fargo’s Senior Vice President & Regional Business Banking Manager and UWGT Board Vice-Chair. Principal Financial Group also joins a growing list of corporate investors.
‘10 to Watch’ awardees were selected through an application and interview process that involved leaders from the community, corporations, UWGT and Leadership Triangle. “This initiative stands for empowerment and hope. I was proud to tell my story during the selection process and receiving the award provides me encouragement to continue to make a difference”, reacted Nicholé Morgan of TheGifted Arts.
